Flight History
The flight departed, performed airwork and one touch-and-go landing at a nearby airport, then returned to the original departure airport. The pilot overflew the airport, observed the windsock, and entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 31.
Accident Sequence
After touchdown on the 2,538-foot long runway with the flaps fully extended, the pilot lightly applied the brakes, which felt mushy. He then maneuvered the airplane onto grass to help slow the airplane, but this was not effective. He maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and, with obstructions ahead, forcefully applied the right brake, which caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane traveled off the runway and came to rest with the nose and left main landing gears collapsed.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the brake system by the FAA revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. A weather observation taken at an airport 6 miles away indicated in part that the wind was from 230 degrees at 14 knots.