What happened
On August 3, 2014, at approximately 11:00 UTC, a Piper PA-28-235 was performing a cross-country flight from Lelystad, the Netherlands, to Koksijde, Belgium, as part of a fly-in event. During the landing phase on runway 29, the aircraft deviated to the left of the runway centerline. Despite recovery attempts by the crew, the airplane exited the paved surface and came to a stop in an adjacent grass field. There were no injuries to the two pilots on board.
The investigation
Investigators from the AAIU(Be) examined the wreckage and the aircraft's mechanical systems. The inspection revealed that the nose landing gear leg was bent 90 degrees rearward, the propeller blade was bent, and there was damage to the engine firewall. The damage was determined to have occurred as the aircraft traveled through the grass during the final meters of the ground run.
Technical inspections of the nose wheel steering, rudder control, and braking systems were conducted. The investigation confirmed that the rudder and steering mechanisms were fully functional and that the braking system, including the parking brake, showed no pre-impact anomalies. Meteorological data at the time of the accident indicated favorable conditions, with a light wind from 260 degrees and visibility exceeding 15 kilometers.
Findings
Technical analysis ruled out mechanical failure as the reason for the deviation. The investigation concluded that the asymmetric braking of the wheels was the primary cause of the excursion. It is believed the pilot likely applied pressure to both brake pedals simultaneously or immediately following touchdown, which caused the right wheel to lock up. This imbalance in braking efficiency created a leftward pull. The deviation may have been sustained if a reflexive increase in pressure on the right rudder/brake pedal occurred during the event.