Pilot Debrief

BEECH E33A near Tucson, AZ — 2015-06-11

Final reportWPR15LA183
Sign in to save
Date
2015-06-11
Location
Tucson, AZ, USA
Airport
57AZ
Aircraft
BEECH E33A
Registration
N8401N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A loss of left braking action for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

The airplane touched down smoothly with the power nearly off. During the landing roll, the commercial pilot applied gentle pressure to the brakes to slow down; however, there was no left braking action, but there was right braking action. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, and it departed the narrow runway and subsequently collided with a drainage ditch and cement wall. During postaccident examination of the brake system, the hydraulic system was found almost empty because the bleeder valve on the brake caliper had sheared off due to impact damage. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the lack of left braking action could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked brake system before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps