CEN12CA329

Factual narrative

The pilot was performing a high speed taxi prior to an intended local flight. During the high speed taxi, the airplane's tail rose off the ground and the pilot reduced power. During the subsequent rollout, the tailwheel started to shimmy and the pilot applied left and right rudder. The airplane veered left and exited the runway, went down a steep slope and impacted the side of a drainage ditch, where it sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot was performing a high speed taxi before an intended local flight. During the high speed taxi, the airplane's tail rose off the ground, and the pilot reduced power. During the subsequent rollout, the tailwheel started to shimmy, and the pilot applied left and right rudder. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, went down a steep slope, and impacted the side of a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C