What happened
The pilot reported being unable to drain fuel from the right tip tank while airborne. This issue was attributed to a malfunction within the aircraft's fuel system venting mechanism. As the flight progressed into the traffic pattern phase, the airplane became extremely difficult to control. During the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway. It entered rough terrain where the nose gear collapsed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical aspects of the fuel system. Evidence pointed to a specific venting problem that prevented the pilot from draining fuel from the right tip tank during the flight. This mechanical limitation directly impacted the aircraft's controllability during critical phases of operation.
Findings
The primary finding was the inability to drain fuel from the right tip tank due to a fuel system venting problem. This led to the airplane becoming very hard to control during the traffic pattern. The loss of control resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and sustaining damage to the nose gear upon entering rough terrain.