ATL96LA059

Factual narrative

On March 9, 1996, about 1041 eastern standard time, a Cessna172K, N79058 was substantially damaged following a collision with a ditch and nose over at Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville, North Carolina. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The flight was taxiing for departure at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was taxiing on taxiway Alpha, when he attempted to stop by applying brakes, the airplane veered off to the left. The pilot stated he applied hard right braking, and nothing happened. The aircraft continued to roll towards a ditch. The pilot shut down the engine, but the aircraft went through the ditch, and onto a large dirt embankment where the nose wheel caught, and the airplane nosed over. The temperature at the time of the accident was 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the airplane right brake revealed that there was water in the brake fluid. The pilot was taxiing for takeoff. Temperature at the airport was 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that as he was taxiing and was approaching the end of the taxiway, the right brake did not respond, when he attempted to stop. The aircraft went off the left side of the taxiway and down an embankment, then it encountered a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the brake revealed that there was water (ice) in the brake fluid, which prevented the brake from operating. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12