Cirrus SR22 N27ML accident near Church Hill, Maryland

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land on an unlighted grass airstrip at night, resulting in landing long, a loss of directional control, and collapsed landing gear producing substantial damage to the landing gear attachment point and left wing.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he was landing on a remote, unlighted, airstrip at night, and reported that on approach he had remained high for obstacle clearance. He reported that upon touchdown he immediately applied maximum braking, and the airplane started to slow. However, the end of the runway was approaching rapidly and he believed that a runway overrun was imminent. He reported that he released the left brake input and held the right brake input in an attempt to turn the airplane to the right; aiming for an open field. He recalled that the airplane turned to the right, exited the runway, rotated to the right while skidding, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment point and a left wing rib.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA251 for the full record.