Incident Overview
During a flight, the engine of the aircraft began to run rough, according to the pilot occupying the right front seat. The aircraft subsequently landed on runway 34 at an airport with a field elevation of 789 ft. The wind at the time, as reported by METAR, was from 07° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots.
Landing and Runway Excursion
The aircraft approached fast and high, touching down approximately 1,200 ft past the approach end of the 2,890-ft runway. The left front seat was occupied by a pilot-rated passenger, who was the only person with access to brake controls. During the landing roll, this passenger applied the brakes, while the pilot maneuvered to exit the left side of the runway in an effort to avoid a runway overrun and impact with a fence. The aircraft left the left side of the runway, causing the right main landing gear to collapse. The aircraft then skidded to a stop in the grass safety area.
Damage Assessment
Substantial damage was sustained to the aft section of the fuselage.
Witness and Manual Information
A flight instructor seated in the rear of the aircraft during the flight reported to the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge that the aircraft touched down at approximately 100 knots, with 40 to 60 percent of the runway remaining. According to the manufacturer’s airplane operator manual, the minimum landing roll distance at sea level is 785 ft when the ground speed is 70 knots.