NTSB Factual Report

On May 20, 2004, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N5361R, veered off the runway during the landing roll at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. Primavera Aviation LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton, California, about 1030, with a planned destination of Livermore. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that the day prior to the accident, the airplane experienced a transient nose landing gear malfunction, in which the gear would not lower. He engaged the override system and cycled the landing gear, with no abnormalities. The landing gear malfunction could not be replicated, and the pilot landed without incident.

The pilot further stated that the purpose of the accident flight was to return the airplane to Livermore (the airplane's home base), and have a mechanic look at the landing gear. The pilot completed a normal approach, and the airplane touched down on runway 25L without incident. While on the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left, off the runway surface. The airplane continued toward a drainage pipe and embankment, and the pilot applied brake pressure and left rudder. The airplane was unresponsive. The drainage pipe severed the right main gear and the right propeller blade struck the ground. The airplane also incurred damage to the right wing tip, aileron, and flap. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

The winds reported by the Livermore Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 1053 were 220 degrees at 9 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.