Cessna 182P N86289 accident near Northport, Michigan

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to resume taxiing on a turf runway that was unable to adequately support the airplane's weight, which resulted in the nose landing gear sinking into the soft ground and the propeller striking the terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot conducted an aerial inspection of the grass runway before landing and observed no indications that the surface was unsuitable for operations. The landing was uneventful; however, during a subsequent turn to back taxi, the right main landing gear became stuck in soft terrain. After freeing the airplane, the pilot elected to use a soft-field takeoff technique to taxi the airplane to a drier portion of the runway. During this attempt, the nosewheel encountered another area of soft terrain, sank into the ground, and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA216 for the full record.