NTSB Factual Report

On July 23, 2004, about 1440 pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N88373, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a loss of control during landing roll at the Sequim Valley Airport, Sequim, Washington. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Port Angeles, Washington, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that after landing on runway 27 the aircraft started [to veer] slightly to the left. He reported that he pressed right rudder to correct and got no response, then tried again with the same result. The pilot stated that he then pressed the right brake, but the airplane continued left at about 30 degrees before going off the runway into the grass. The pilot reported that he then saw an irrigation pipe about 30 feet from the side of the runway. He tried to slow the airplane with both brakes but rotated about another 90 degrees before impacting the pipe, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. In a previous telephone interview with an NTSB investigator, the pilot reported no anomalies with the aircraft prior to or during the accident fight which would have prevented normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft control not maintained during the landing roll. A factor was the irrigation pipe.