N58LE

On May 12, 1996, at about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 185, N58LE, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Providence-Webster County Airport, in Providence, Kentucky. The commercial pilot and the one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Lake Barkley Airport, in Lake Barkley, Kentucky, at about 1400.

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll at Lake Barkley Airport, it felt like the airplane's left brake was sticking. He said that when he arrived at Providence, he noted that there was a 90 degree crosswind from the left, and moderate to severe turbulence at low altitudes. The pilot stated that, because of the crosswind, and because the left brake might stick during the landing roll, he decided to land on the right side of the runway. He indicated that he hoped he would be able to compensate for any left turning/weathervaning tendencies by using the right brake.

The pilot indicated that after the airplane touched down, for about the first 100 feet of the landing roll, the airplane seemed to be drifting to the right, opposite of what he had anticipated. He applied light toe pressure to the left brake to bring the airplane back in line, but the airplane veered to the left, ran off the runway, and nosed over. He stated that he attempted to initiate a go around, but was unsuccessful due to obstacles in the path of the airplane.

Examination of the runway and the accident airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the airplane touched down at approximately 800 to 1000 feet from the approach end of runway 34. The FAA Inspector stated that he found airplane tire skid marks on the left side of the runway centerline, which measured 300 to 400 feet in length. He said the tire skid marks veered to the left side of the runway and departed the runway at approximately 30 degrees left of runway heading, then traveled an additional 20 to 25 yards through grass and mud. The tire marks came to a stop about 10 feet in front of the airplane, which was inverted in the mud. (A photograph is appended.)