What happened
On 24 January 2015, a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu, registration N71WZ, was performing a private flight and attempting to land on Runway 26 at Bournemouth Airport. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by fine weather and a surface wind of 11 knots from 310°.
Upon touchdown on the runway centerline, the aircraft immediately drifted to the left. The aircraft moved off the paved runway surface and onto the adjacent wet grass. The pilot managed to regain directional control by applying rudder pedals and utilizing the right-side wheel brakes, successfully steering the aircraft back toward the paved runway. However, as the aircraft transitioned back onto the pavement, the nose landing gear struck a slightly recessed drain, causing the gear to collapse. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, windscreen, and nosewheel.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of directional control and the subsequent gear failure. The pilot reported that during the recovery process, the left wheel brake seemed to be binding. Based on this observation and the initial deviation to the left immediately after touchdown, the pilot concluded that the aircraft had likely landed with unintended partial pressure applied to the left brake.