The pilot reported that, while en route, he noticed a loose camlock screw on the engine cowling and decided to land the Cessna P210 at the nearest airport.
He added that, during the landing at the airport in Grass Valley, California, he applied the brakes, but they had “minimal effect.”
As the airplane slowed “very slightly,” he determined he could make the taxiway turn. But, he added that, “the left steering did not affect direction.”
The airplane exited the runway and went over the runway embankment.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that the brakes failed to slow the airplane to a complete stop, and the nosewheel failed to turn.
A local mechanic examined the brakes following the accident and found no anomalies.
The airport manager reported that marks on the runway showed that the airplane had touched down about 1,000 to 1,500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. Additionally, there was about a 15-foot-long skid mark showing a skidding left turn before the airplane exited the runway.
Pictures submitted by the FAA inspector showed the skid marks turning left while exiting the end of the runway. The airport supplement stated that Runway 25 sloped downhill to the west.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and a runway excursion.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA271
This May 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
If you’re too fast
Coming down,
Add some juice
And go around!
A loose camlock? What would this guy do with a real in-flight emergency?
I suggest pilots touchdown point and possibly excessive air speed could be more to blame than the flare..
Carrying “excessive air speed” on landing is the number 1 top pilot error. Spend some time watching landings and you will notice that 90% of pilots simply come in too fast! Excessive speed is the harbinger of most troubled landings.