Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during touchdown, the aircraft began to pull strongly to the left. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft veered off the runway and collided with a runway sign and a drainage ditch between the runways. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector, who reported that no discrepancies were noted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 16, 1996, at 1300 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna T210L, N911JB, veered off the runway and collided with ground obstructions during landing on runway 22R at Mesa, Arizona. Owned and operated by the pilot, the aircraft was completing a cross-country personal flight from Prescott, Arizona, to Mesa at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and five passengers were not injured. The flight originated at Prescott on the day of the accident at 1140. In his written statement, the pilot reported that during touchdown the aircraft began to pull strongly to the left. He was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft veered off the runway and collided with a runway sign and a drainage ditch between the runways. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, who reported that no discrepancies were noted. -