Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to use taxiways shown on the airport diagrams and his subsequent failure to avoid a ditch.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, after he refueled his airplane, he was cleared by the tower controller to the runway. He added that, as he taxied west toward taxiway Delta, the asphalt was very rough, and he did not see the taxiway to his left nor the unmarked drainage ditch immediately in front of him. The airplane entered the ditch travelling about 5 knots.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Review of the accident airport diagram revealed that the area around the ditch was not a depicted taxiway. Further review of satellite imagery revealed that there were two access points to taxiway Delta southwest of the refueling point.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA051 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 12, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Tucson Intl (TUS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182H
- N-number
- N8515S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.