Piaggio Avanti, Battle Mountain, Nev., Dec. 7, 2007–The NTSB blamed the accident on the flight crew’s failure to follow published procedures while landing the Avanti. On approach the airplane broke out at 750 feet and made a normal touchdown on a wet runway. The pilot engaged the nosewheel steering just below 60 knots indicated, and the airplane started into an abrupt left turn. Right rudder input had no effect, and the airplane turned 180 degrees and slid backward down the runway before it ran off the pavement. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage, but neither of the two occupants was injured. No mechanical anomalies were found during the subsequent examination.
The Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the airplane checklist and the FlightSafety International training manual all state, “Steering engagement during landing is prohibited.”