Accident Sequence
After touchdown just beyond the runway threshold, the airplane experienced a left yaw and subsequently departed the runway. It collided with a berm, continued over it, and came to rest on the rising wall of a ditch. The airplane's final position was approximately 3,200 feet from the pilot's reported touchdown point.
Investigation Findings
A post-accident investigation examined the nose wheel steering and braking systems, revealing no discrepancies. The main landing gear and nose gear tires exhibited flat spotting and striations. The typical ground roll under the reported conditions was calculated to be approximately 2,350 feet, indicating the airplane traveled beyond the expected stopping distance.
Additionally, investigators inspected the nose gear of an exemplar Piper PA-34 airplane during a retraction and extension sequence. The nose gear remained centered throughout its travel and did not cant until it approached the wheel well area.