What happened
Shortly after touching down on runway 22, the aircraft veered off the left side of the paved surface and encountered rough terrain. According to the pilot's statement, the approach and subsequent landing were conducted normally. At the time of the event, wind conditions were reported as light. During a follow-up interview with Federal Aviation Administration officials, the pilot stated that he could not recall having his feet on the brakes during the landing rollout.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational details provided by the pilot regarding the landing sequence. Key factors examined included the wind conditions at the time of touchdown and the pilot's recollection of brake application during the ground roll. No mechanical anomalies were noted in the provided narrative, with the focus remaining on the pilot's inability to recall braking actions.
Findings
The primary finding centers on the aircraft's departure from the runway environment immediately after landing. Contributing factors include the lack of recalled brake usage by the pilot during the critical phase of deceleration and the encounter with rough terrain off the left side of the runway. The normal nature of the approach suggests the issue arose specifically during the ground handling phase.
Safety message
Pilots should ensure positive control of the aircraft during the landing rollout, particularly regarding brake application, to maintain directional control and remain within the designated runway boundaries.