Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that when he applied brakes during the landing rollout, the right brake "grabbed" and the airplane immediately began to veer to the right. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway, across a taxiway, and subsequently entered a ditch. The airplane sustained damage to the nose, landing gear, right wing, and both propellers. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. In addition, no flat spots or unusual wear patterns were observed on the right main landing gear tire. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 230 degrees at 12 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the Piper PA-30, was landing on runway 20L, a 6,001-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, concrete runway. The pilot reported that when he applied brakes during the rollout, the right brake "grabbed" and the airplane immediately began to veer to the right. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway, across a taxiway, and subsequently entered a ditch. The airplane sustained damage to the nose, landing gear, right wing, and both propellers. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. In addition, no flat spots or unusual wear patterns were observed on the right main landing gear tire. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 230 degrees at 12 knots.