Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control on rollout.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that on landing the airplane started to turn left and he corrected to the right; however, the airplane exited the runway to the right. After rolling off the runway the wing received damage from contact with the ground. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies of the nose wheel steering or braking system.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 22, 1996, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6804W, suffered substantial damage after exiting runway 26 (2,020' x 50' dry/asphalt) at the Oceana County Airport, near Hart, Michigan. The pilot reported that he lost control of the airplane during landing rollout. The private pilot reported no injuries. The personal local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the 14CFR Part 91 flight. The flight departed at 1445. The pilot said that during rollout the airplane started to turn left. He corrected to the right and the airplane exited the runway to the right into the grass. Subsequent to the accident an inspection of the airplane found no mechanical anomalies with the nose wheel steering or the brakes. -