What happened
Following touchdown on the runway, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and collided with a vehicle. During the collision sequence, the aircraft spun 180 degrees, resulting in the collapse of its right main landing gear. The pilot reported that after touching down, he attempted to apply the brakes, but they felt mushy and unresponsive. Despite increasing pressure on the brakes, the aircraft failed to stop and departed the runway surface.
Law enforcement officers observed three distinctive skid marks on the runway that matched the geometry of the aircraft's landing gear. These marks continued for several hundred feet off the right side of the runway, leading to the impact with the vehicle and the aircraft. The skid marks from the right and left main wheels were found to be identical in width, heaviness, and color.
The investigation
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector and an aviation maintenance technician examined the braking system. The inspection revealed that the left brake had new linings, but the brake disk was worn. The right brake linings were at a minimum thickness, while the disk remained within acceptable limits. The FAA inspector reported no evidence that either of the brakes had locked up during the landing process.