NTSB Factual Report

The pilot stated he made a visual approach for landing at his destination airport. He flared the airplane and touched down on the runway. The airplane started to veer to the left as he began to apply brakes. He attempted to apply right rudder, but the rudder would not move. His passenger had inadvertently stretched his legs out and blocked the rudder pedals. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch. He completed an emergency shutdown. He and his passenger exited the airplane without injury. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot stated he did not experience any pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger’s inadvertent blockage of the rudder pedals, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.