This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
The Golden Eagle 421 was released from maintenance for work done on the alternate air valve, alternator, starter, and battery replacement.
I, the pilot in command and the sole person on board, was to depart ZZZ destined for ZZZ1.
The aircraft was started and initial routine checks were made to ensure flight controls were free and correct, which all seemed to pass the test at the time.
Upon taxiing out to hold short of Runway XX where the final run-up checks were going to be performed before departure, I tried to apply the right rudder pedal in combination with the right brake to make a slight right to align the aircraft with the hold short bars.
In trying to do so I noticed an apparent loss in effectiveness and ability to steer right. In an attempt to stop the aircraft both brake pedals were applied, which turned out to fail in the moment.
To prevent extensive damage to the aircraft and myself, I completely secured both engines as the direction of the airplane was headed straight for the runway marking signs, which could not be prevented due to no brake or rudder. Being unable to steer the aircraft, the nose gear collided with the runway sign, which resulted in the nose gear retracting and the nose of the aircraft plowing into the grass.
I proceeded to secure the aircraft by switching off all the electrical components and exited the aircraft where further assist was called for.
Extensive damage, however, was sustained to the nose landing gear but fortunately no injury sustained to the pilot in command.
Primary Problem: Aircraft
ACN: 2142528
