Factual Report: Avanti slid off runway

Piaggio Avanti, Battle Mountain, Nev., Dec. 7, 2007–After landing on a wet runway at Battle Mountain, the pilot engaged the nosewheel steering just below 60 knots indicated, and the airplane veered left. It turned 180 degrees and slid backward, running off the runway. The right main gear collapsed and the airplane was substantially damaged. No mechanical anomalies were found. The pilots were not aware that the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the airplane checklist and the FlightSafety International training manual all state, “Steering engagement during landing is prohibited.”