On 23 Oct 2016, a BEECH D18S was involved in an aviation accident near Deming, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During landing roll, a multi-engine tailwheel airplane veered left after tailwheel touchdown. The pilot allowed the plane to continue off the runway to avoid overcorrection, resulting in the right main landing gear collapsing in soft terrain.
Accident Overview
A multi-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a runway excursion during the landing roll. According to the pilot, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered sharply to the left. The aircraft was positioned close to the left runway edge, leading the pilot to allow it to continue off the runway rather than risk overcorrecting to the right.
Damage
During the excursion, the right main landing gear collapsed after encountering soft terrain. The right wing sustained substantial damage as a result.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained