Accident Overview
During the landing roll, the aircraft experienced a complete gear collapse after contacting a runway light and a taxiway sign.
Weight and Balance Issues
The flight departed La Guardia Airport 230 pounds over the maximum gross weight of 7,000 pounds and at least 1 inch aft of the center of gravity (CG) limit. During the one-hour and thirty-five-minute flight to Norfolk, Virginia, the 60 gallons of fuel used decreased the aircraft weight to 6,870 pounds; however, the computed CG was still 1/2 inch aft of the limit.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he would have been able to respond to the aircraft veering to the right in a quicker manner if the nose wheel had been able to be lowered to the pavement sooner to aid with nose wheel steering.