C172 student pilot reports loss of control during taxi to the active runway resulting in a taxiway e...

Narrative:

I was in command of a C172; taxiing along taxiway north for departure to the northwest on runway 09L. I performed a full walk around inspection prior to starting the aircraft and had completed the taxi checklist; which includes checking for both brake pressure and directional control of the aircraft. Passing taxiway J and on taxiway north; the aircraft began an uncommanded turn to the right. I immediately brought the power to idle and applied full brakes; however the aircraft could not be stopped before going off the taxiway. I managed to stop the aircraft about 10 ft from the active and notified ATC. I checked for directional control; which I found to be minimal; but enough to get the aircraft back onto taxiway north. Now on taxiway north; I requested a clearance back to the ramp and was given one and began to proceed as directed. Shortly before reaching the intersection of taxiways P and H (aircraft was now on taxiway P); the same type of situation began to occur again; however I arrested the excursion and stopped the aircraft on taxiway H (closed per NOTAM). I advised ATC and waited for assistance.upon visual inspection of the aircraft; the nose wheel and rudder were at their respective full right stops. The aircraft was towed to the ramp and an inspection revealing issues with cables connecting to the nose wheel was completed. Maintenance issues with the cables were detected and the aircraft was taken out of service. The aircraft was also due for its 100 hour inspection 1.1 hours after the incident. I also found that my logbook had been left in operations as my flight instructor requested that I leave my flight bag due to weight considerations. This did not contribute to the incident. The exact cause of the incident remains unknown though maintenance control and quality control issues appear to be a cause thus far.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C172 student pilot reports loss of control during taxi to the active runway resulting in a taxiway excursion. Once stopped a second attempt is made to taxi with similar results. Assistance is requested and Maintenance discovers issues with the rudder cables and nose wheel steering.

Narrative: I was in command of a C172; taxiing along Taxiway N for departure to the northwest on Runway 09L. I performed a full walk around inspection prior to starting the aircraft and had completed the taxi checklist; which includes checking for both brake pressure and directional control of the aircraft. Passing Taxiway J and on Taxiway N; the aircraft began an uncommanded turn to the right. I immediately brought the power to idle and applied full brakes; however the aircraft could not be stopped before going off the taxiway. I managed to stop the aircraft about 10 FT from the active and notified ATC. I checked for directional control; which I found to be minimal; but enough to get the aircraft back onto Taxiway N. Now on Taxiway N; I requested a clearance back to the ramp and was given one and began to proceed as directed. Shortly before reaching the intersection of Taxiways P and H (aircraft was now on Taxiway P); the same type of situation began to occur again; however I arrested the excursion and stopped the aircraft on Taxiway H (closed per NOTAM). I advised ATC and waited for assistance.Upon visual inspection of the aircraft; the nose wheel and rudder were at their respective full right stops. The aircraft was towed to the ramp and an inspection revealing issues with cables connecting to the nose wheel was completed. Maintenance issues with the cables were detected and the aircraft was taken out of service. The aircraft was also due for its 100 hour inspection 1.1 hours after the incident. I also found that my logbook had been left in operations as my flight instructor requested that I leave my flight bag due to weight considerations. This did not contribute to the incident. The exact cause of the incident remains unknown though Maintenance Control and Quality Control issues appear to be a cause thus far.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	954625
Time
Date	201106
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Nosewheel Steering
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Student
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18 Flight Crew Total 49 Flight Crew Type 34
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Ground Excursion Taxiway Ground Incursion Taxiway Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control

C172 student pilot reports loss of control during taxi to the active runway resulting in a taxiway excursion. Once stopped a second attempt is made to taxi with similar results. Assistance is requested and maintenance discovers issues with the rudder cables and nose wheel steering.