What happened
On October 22, 2013, a TECNAM P92, registration N137LM, was operating in the traffic pattern at Watsonville, California. The pilot reported that the right rudder ceased responding while the aircraft was in the pattern.
As the pilot aligned the aircraft with the runway for landing, the airplane touched down long. During the subsequent landing roll, the pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to depart the runway. The aircraft traveled through grass and dirt for approximately 500 feet. During the excursion, the front main landing gear collapsed, resulting in the aircraft coming to a stop on its nose. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airframe showed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The investigation noted substantial damage to the engine's firewall and the tube frame located behind the firewall.