Cessna T188C N1965J accident near Pine Bluffs, Wyoming

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control to the right for reasons that could not be determined during examination of the right main landing gear wheel and brake drum.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable during the landing approach. Upon touchdown and the pilot's application of forward elevator control, the airplane veered sharply right. The pilot made "full aerodynamic controls" inputs and applied the left brake, but the airplane did not stop veering right. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and struck a small berm, which bent the left main landing gear aft. The airplane slid to a stop, crushing the engine cowling and wrinkling both wings. The only skid marks found on the runway after the accident were made by the left tire. When the airplane was raised by a lift, the right tire assembly spun freely. The right brake drum was found to be deeply grooved, but there was no indication that the right wheel had seized. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA250 for the full record.