Runway Excursion During Landing Results in Ditch Collision (N39PC)

Landing Sequence

The pilot, upon arriving at a refueling stop, was issued a landing clearance for runway 5. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on the main landing gear within the first third of the runway. As the nose wheel settled to the runway, the airplane pulled to the left side of the runway. Despite application of right rudder, the left drift was not arrested. The airplane subsequently veered off the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch.

Post-Accident Examination

The accident site examination disclosed that the airplane rested in a ditch adjacent to the runway. Landing gear tracks were observed from the edge of the paved runway surface to the point where the airplane rested. Examination of the runway surface failed to disclose any obvious tire tracks associated with braking action. The subsequent examination of the braking system also failed to reveal internal component failure or malfunction. No mechanical malfunction or component failure was discovered during the examination of the airplane.