What happened
Following the completion of the landing roll, the aircraft veered off the paved surface, departing from the right side of the runway. Upon investigation, the pilot provided an account of the events leading to the incident. He noted that his application of left rudder and braking pressure failed to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway centerline.
The pilot suspected that the right brake may have locked up during the landing roll or that the left engine reverser failed to deploy as intended. These mechanical anomalies would have resulted in asymmetric thrust and braking forces, contributing to the loss of directional control.
The investigation
A thorough physical examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the root cause of the departure. Inspectors evaluated the integrity and functionality of the braking system and flight controls. The examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction within the braking system or the flight control surfaces. This finding suggests that the issue may have been related to pilot input, environmental conditions, or a transient operational anomaly rather than a systemic mechanical failure.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the aircraft's departure from the right side of the runway after landing. The lack of effective braking on one side, potentially due to a locked brake or reverser issue, played a significant role. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's systems were mechanically sound at the time of inspection.
Safety message
Pilots should remain vigilant during the landing roll and be prepared for potential asymmetric braking or thrust issues. Regular pre-flight checks of braking systems and engine performance are essential to ensure optimal functionality.