Pilot Debrief

Beech F33 near Reidsville, GA — 2018-10-13

Final reportERA19TA011
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Date
2018-10-13
Location
Reidsville, GA, USA
Airport
RVJ
Aircraft
Beech F33
Registration
N9469Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a taxiway sign.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear slightly left of centerline. As soon as he lowered the nose landing gear (NLG), he felt the airplane lurch left and then right. The pilot attempted to arrest the movement with rudder inputs, followed by differential braking, but the airplane continued to veer right uncontrollably. He then intentionally increased braking until both wheels started skidding. The airplane skidded sideways and then exited the right side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign before coming to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Continuity of the NLG steering system was confirmed. Given the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not maintain directional control after landing, which resulted in the runway excursion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after initial touchdown issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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