WPR16LA109

The commercial pilot reported that, during the landing roll following a normal touchdown in variable, gusting wind conditions, the airplane veered slightly to the left as she applied brakes, and she corrected with right rudder. She applied brakes a second time, and the airplane again veered left but did not respond to brake or rudder control inputs. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a runway distance remaining sign, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airframe or landing gear components that would have precluded normal operation. Given the lack of mechanical anomalies found, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane during the landing roll.

On May 13, 2016, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N6281V, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and runway excursion at the North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Black Ridge Partners, LLC and was operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration flight plan had been filed for the flight. The pilot reported that following a normal touch down in variable gusty wind conditions, while braking to slow to taxi speed, the airplane veered slightly to the left, and she corrected with right rudder. Then while braking again, the airplane veered to the left, and did not react to brake or rudder control inputs. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a runway distance remaining sign, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airframe or landing gear components that would have precluded normal operation.