Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was normal until the airplane reached a speed of about 40-45 knots, when the right rudder pedal suddenly felt “soft” followed by a sudden uncommanded swerve to the left. He attempted to correct the swerve with full right rudder and right brake but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway, the pilot applied both brakes “heavily,” and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage aft of the wing. The pilot suspected a possible steering malfunction, however, a postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector was unable to discover any defects of the steering mechanism.