Pilot Debrief

AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B near Gainesville, TX — 2011-11-23

Final reportCEN12LA087
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Date
2011-11-23
Location
Gainesville, TX, USA
Aircraft
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
Registration
N252U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The right main gear tire contacting the brake caliper, which resulted in an uncommanded brake effect on the wheel.

NTSB narrative

The pilot performed a landing on a remote sandbar in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot stated that, on landing, the airplane started a slow turn to the right. He added that it appeared the right brake had locked-up and that he tried to correct the turn by adding full left rudder, left aileron, and full aft elevator. The pilot was unable to correct the turn, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. After the airplane was recovered, it was noted that the airplane’s wheels were free to rotate. A “witness mark” was found on the right tire corresponding to the brake caliper. The airplane was equipped with low pressure, oversized bush wheels. The event is consistent with low tire pressure and/or a side load on the tire, which allowed it to come into contact with the brake caliper. The result of tire/caliper contact would be a dragging or brake effect on the wheel.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing when noticing the right brake issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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