Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake appeared to operate unevenly with the right brake. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The initial touchdown and landing roll was uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake grabbed. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxi way sign, and sustained substantial damage. The impact turned the airplane into the grass median. The pilot then taxied uneventfully to parking.