Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180 near Newport, NH — 2017-08-20

Final reportERA17LA290
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Date
2017-08-20
Location
Newport, NH, USA
Airport
2B3
Aircraft
CESSNA 180
Registration
N1585C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

A leak in the right brake slave cylinder, which led to no fluid in the reservoir and subsequent asymmetric braking.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was initiating a personal flight and noted no discrepancies with the brakes during the preflight inspection, the engine run-up, or the initial portion of taxiing aside from the left brake pedal not lining up exactly with the right brake pedal, which had been that way for a while. When the pilot attempted to slow the airplane during the taxi, the right brake pedal travelled to the floor, which resulted in asymmetric braking. In an effort to avoid trees, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane and added power, which exacerbated the turn and resulted in the right wing impacting the ground. Postaccident examination of the right brake revealed no fluid in the reservoir and a leak at the slave cylinder, which likely resulted in the asymmetric braking and ground loop.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the taxi after noticing brake pedal misalignment.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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