NTSB Factual Report

On September 28, 2012, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft BE-V35A, N6278V, taxied into a parked vehicle at Zamperini Field, Torrance, California. The pilot, who owned the airplane, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed El Monte Airport, El Monte, California about 1400 with a planned destination of Torrance. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he landed and received a clearance to taxi to his hangar. During taxi, he attempted to make a left turn and found that despite inputting full left pedal, the airplane would not turn. The airplane veered off the taxiway surface into the dirt median and continued onto the main ramp area. The pilot could not stop the airplane prior to its left wing colliding with a parked vehicle that was located on the ramp.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and aviation mechanic performed a postaccident examination of the airplane. The FAA inspector stated that the ruddervator system was examined from the cockpit to the ruddervators and there was no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures. The nose wheel steering was also inspected and operationally checked while the airplane was on jacks and no abnormalities were discovered. The inspector found no anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a parked vehicle.