NTSB Factual Report

On April 27, 2001, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, N876BB, registered to and operated by Manray Express Freight Systems, Inc., experienced collapse of the right main landing gear during the landing roll at the Venice Municipal Airport, Venice, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the private-rated pilot or two passengers. The flight originated about 1 hour earlier from the Opa-Locka Airport, Opa-Locka, Florida.

The pilot stated that the airplane touched down at 80 knots on runway 31 just south of the intersection of runway 04/22, and the brakes were not effective when he initially applied them. He pumped the brakes with no effect for several pumping actions; they then became effective. He then applied the brakes heavily but the airplane rolled off the end of runway 31, collapsing the right main landing gear. He also stated that the airplane was too far down the runway to consider performing a go-around, and there were no discrepancies with the brakes or parking brake while taxiing or during the engine run-up before takeoff, respectively.

Postaccident examination of the runway by an FAA inspector revealed approximately 250 feet of skid marks from both main landing gear tires at the departure end of the runway. The skid marks continued for an additional 50 feet off the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear tire had a flat spot, and the right main landing gear tire was blown and flat spotted. A copy of the FAA inspector statement is an attachment to this report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point resulting in a long landing and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear. Also, failure of the pilot to perform a go-around following a long landing.