'Veered Abruptly To The Right And It Exited The Runway Pavement'

Location: Pearland, TX Accident Number: CEN21FA239
Date & Time: May 29, 2021, 14:51 Local Registration: N124MS
Aircraft: PZL Warszawa-Okecie PZL-104 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 29, 2021, at 1451 central daylight time, a PZL Warszawa-Okecie PZL-104 airplane, N124MS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured; the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated that the flight departed the Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport (LBX) at 1406. The airplane proceeded east and overflew a portion of Galveston Island before it turned north to LVJ. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 14 and completed a continuous left turn from downwind to final approach. The final ADS-B data point was recorded at 1451:00 as the airplane was on short final, about 51 ft from the runway arrival threshold.

ADS-B data was not available for the accident sequence. Airport surveillance video footage depicted the airplane during the downwind to final turn. The airplane appeared to be in a stabilized decent during that time. As the airplane reached short final, the camera field of view was obstructed by a hangar on the airport. When the airplane re-entered the field of view, the airplane was in a landing flare. Shortly after the airplane appeared to settle onto the runway, it veered abruptly to the right and it exited the runway pavement. The airplane subsequently
encountered a ditch located between the runway and the parallel taxiway. The airplane dropped into the ditch momentarily, reappeared on the opposite side, and came to rest.

The runway exhibited scuffing marks consistent with being formed by the main wheels beginning near the end of the touchdown (1,000-foot) markers. They proceeded in a righthand arc to the edge of the pavement and continued into the grass area adjacent to the runway. A small scuff mark began near the edge of the pavement and appeared consistent with being formed by the tail wheel. The tracks continued through the grass to the edge of the ditch running parallel to the runway. Ground impact marks were located on the opposite (rising embankment) side of the ditch in line with the tire marks. A second ground impact mark was located on the opposite side of the ditch immediately adjacent to the parallel taxiway.

The airplane came to rest upright oriented on a south heading. The engine was separated and located along the taxiway near the airframe. The two-blade, wooden propeller was fragmented. The forward fuselage was crushed aft and deformed downward consistent with impact to the ditch.

The main landing gear had collapsed.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov