N406ER

On February 6, 1998, at about 0910 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N406ER, registered to McDonnell Douglas Financing Corporation, operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a 14 CFR Part 141 instructional flight, crashed on landing rollout at Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Melbourne, Florida, about 35 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he made a landing to runway 25 left with a right crosswind. He did not apply any aileron correction for the crosswind. The airplane started to drift to the right on landing rollout. He applied left rudder, the airplane continued to the right off the side of the runway. He observed a taxiway sign and applied right rudder. The airplane collided with the sign located just west of runway 16/34.

Examination of the flight controls, brakes, and nosewheel steering revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

Visual examination of the right main landing gear by parties to the NTSB investigation and Embry-Riddle safety personnel revealed a scuff mark on the tire. Examination of the runway surface revealed a skid mark veering to the right of the runway centerline, which was consistent with the scuffing damage noted on the right main landing gear tire.