Incident Overview
A pilot executing a visual approach for landing at a destination airport flared the airplane and touched down on the runway. As the pilot began to apply brakes, the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to apply right rudder input but found the rudder pedals immovable.
Discovery of Cause
Investigation revealed that the passenger had inadvertently stretched his legs out, blocking the rudder pedals and preventing the pilot from countering the leftward drift. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch.
Post-Accident Actions
After the collision, the pilot completed an emergency shutdown. Both the pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and the fuselage.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he did not experience any pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.