Supermaine Ltd N5TF accident near Marana, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The airline transport pilot reported that, after making a normal landing and slowing the airplane during the rollout, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot's right rudder input was not effective at countering the left drift due to the airplane's slow speed, so the pilot applied the right brake. The right brake application caused the airplane's nose to swing to the right, which the pilot then countered by applying left rudder and brake. However, the left rudder input was ineffective, and the left brake provided no stopping action, so the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane's subsequent impact with soft dirt resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear and substantial damage to the airplane.

A postaccident survey of the runway revealed a 200-ft-long skid mark that was made by the left main landing gear tire. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane's brake system that would have resulted in the loss of directional control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17LA141 for the full record.