Accident Sequence
The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during landing when it departed the right side of runway 31 and the main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on the runway and described it as "a good touchdown." During the rollout, the pilot stated that the airplane felt "rubbery" and "vibrated or appeared to hop." Loss of control ensued, and the airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway. Marks from the accident airplane continued in the grass area adjacent to the runway.
Pilot Report
The pilot noted that the flight was "very turbulent," although it was "a little more manageable" at lower altitudes. No other details about the flight conditions were provided by the pilot.
Airport Manager Observations
The airport manager reported that skid marks observed on the runway appeared to be associated with the right main landing gear of the accident airplane. The marks started approximately one-quarter of the way down runway 31, near the first taxiway intersection after the displaced threshold. The marks were intermittent: each skid mark was about 18 inches long, with clear (non-skid) intervals of approximately 6 feet between them. The marks appeared to "jump back and forth" laterally from one mark to the next, moving side to side about 6–8 inches between each mark. The marks veered toward the right side of the runway and stopped about 200 feet before the point at which the airplane left the pavement. Additionally, the airport manager noted that a pin on the right gear brace appeared to have failed and the brace on the left gear had failed.
Weather Information
Winds recorded approximately 13 minutes after the accident, at an airport located 11 nautical miles north of the accident site, were from 230 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots.