PA-24 Comanche
Maintenance Inspection Authority; Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Maintenance Avionics 4; Maintenance Inspector 25; Maintenance Repairman 4; Maintenance Technician 35
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Weather
Annual inspection was completed on this aircraft by me on [date] with no defects observed. Logbooks were properly updated and aircraft returned to service. All AD (Airworthiness Directive) inspections were verified with none due at the time of the annual. The aircraft was being operated by the owner and his instructor on [date]. The runway in use had a 10-15 [Knot] crosswind while the owner was practicing landings. The pilot during his second landing bounced the aircraft several times then appeared to lose control of the plane. There were skid marks on the runway indicating the plane slid sideways before hitting the grass. The right gear collapsed upon entering the grassy area. No injuries occurred and I arrived at the location shortly after the incident. From talking with the pilot he was unsure what happened; he may have lost control; stepped on brakes; or too much rudder were his comments. After looking at the gear all attach points were still intact with a bent gear actuator rod indicating a heavy side load was put on the gear. I have no reason to believe this is anything but pilot error; but understanding I maintain this aircraft I felt I should file a report. The aircraft has been flown several times since the last annual; and all paperwork appears to be in order. The instructor he was using was not familiar with this model aircraft which I think contributed to the accident. The Piper PA24 is known to bounce at too high of a landing speed; and difficult maintain other than to just go around and do another landing. The plane is also known to stall and drop the nose down first if not properly handled. The instructor did not know any of these items; which I feel contributed to the loss of control. To prevent this in the future instructors should have some time in type aircraft they are flying.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician reported a PA24 departed the runway with the gear collapsing during landing rollout.