Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN G-44 near Dillingham, AK — 2011-08-21

Final reportANC11LA084
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Date
2011-08-21
Location
Dillingham, AK, USA
Airport
PADL
Aircraft
GRUMMAN G-44
Registration
N139F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A loss of directional control during landing due to a rock lodged in the main landing gear wheel brake, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, just prior to the accident landing, he had parked the amphibious airplane on a beach where, unknown to him, the left main landing gear wheel brake had apparently captured a small rock in the brake system. On landing at the destination airport, the left brake locked and the airplane departed the left side of the runway, colliding with terrain and sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the accident site confirmed that a small rock was found wedged in the left brake assembly.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected brakes before landing to prevent locking up.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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