Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that, during the landing, the airplane made an uncommanded right turn. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane, and it departed the right side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign. No evidence of a locked wheel was found on either the runway surface or the tire. No preimpact malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 9, 2013, about 1315 central daylight time, an experimental Long EZ airplane, N721EZ, departed from the runway surface while landing at the Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C), Schaumburg, Illinois. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated from 06C at 1200. According to the pilot, during the landing, the airplane's right wheel locked up. The airplane turned right, departed the runway, and collided with a taxiway sign. During the accident sequence, the main landing gear separated from the airplane. An examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident scene. The inspector did not find any signs of tire scrubbing on the runway. In addition, no damage or worn spots were observed on the tire; the tire was able to freely rotate. No preimpact anomalies were detected on the airplane.