NTSB Factual Report

On May 9, 2009, at 1405 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182M, N71165, veered off the runway during the landing roll at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, California. The airplane is registered to, and operated by, Madera County Aircrafters, Inc. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a local personal flight. The private pilot, the only occupant aboard the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Madera Municipal Airport at 1350.

The private pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to remain in the traffic pattern and do touch-and-go landings on runway 30. The pilot reported that during the first landing, just as the nose gear touched down the airplane veered to the right. The pilot stated that the airplane did not respond to the left rudder inputs and that the application of the left brake resulted in only a slight correction back towards the runway centerline. The airplane exited the right side of runway 30 where it crossed a grass covered median and impacted the taxiway edge. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop on the opposite side of the taxiway. Impact with the taxiway resulted in structural damage to the firewall and fuselage. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that, the steering linkages were extensively damaged in the accident; however, nose wheel steering continuity was established visually.

According to the Automated Surface Observation System report at the Madera Municipal Airport, the 1353 observation was, in part, wind from 290 degrees at 12 knots. There were clear skies and no obstructions to visibility.

NTSB Probable Cause

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