Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported the airplane suddenly veered left during the landing roll, continued off the runway and struck a snow bank. He believes the loss of control was caused by the fracture of the steering arm rod end bolt. A metallurgical examination of the fractured rod end disclosed the fracture was caused by an overload in tension, and that there was no preexisting anomaly or fatigue evident in the rod end. Excess tension on the rod end can result if the nosewheel is forced beyond the limits of its normal travel. FAA inspectors at the accident site observed what they described as nosewheel scrub marks on the runway from the accident airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
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