Beech C23 N6015U accident near Elizabethtown, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, right main landing gear collapse, and a collision with a ditch.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported following a cross-country flight he entered the traffic pattern for landing and noticed a left crosswind about 8 knots. He described the approach as normal, however; the touchdown was to the right of the centerline and the nosed yawed to the right during the roll out. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control with rudder application, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway to the right into a ditch and the right main landing gear collapsed.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector observed no anomalies with flight control continuity during a postaccident examination of the airplane. The stabilator sustained substantial damage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA107 for the full record.