Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210M near Leadore, ID — 2021-03-15

Final reportWPR21LA131
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Date
2021-03-15
Location
Leadore, ID, USA
Airport
U00
Aircraft
CESSNA T210M
Registration
N886KH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point on a graveled surfaced runway with insufficient landing performance and subsequent loss of control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot circled the runway to determine the wind direction and examine the runway surface conditions. The runway surface consisted of deteriorated asphalt and gravel. The pilot reportedly touched down 1/3 the way down the runway and experienced a lack of braking effectiveness. He then pushed the brake pedal to the floor as he neared the end of the runway. The airplane exited the runway near the departure end, continued across the airport property, and impacted a small berm before coming to rest near a building. The first identifiable marks on the runway were skid marks that began 2,600 ft down the 3,500 ft long runway and continued off the runway. Tire marks continued over the rough terrain, over the berm and through a barbed wire fence before where the airplane came to rest. It is likely that the airplane’s brakes were not effective due to the deteriorated asphalt and gravel on the runway surface. Also, it is likely that the pilot applied an abundance of pressure due to the lack of runway remaining, preventing the proper braking for the runway surface condition. During the postaccident examination the right main landing gear brake line was separated near the caliper and line fitting. The line was examined and determined that the fracture surfaces were consistent with an overstress fracture. It likely that the line was damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot’s decision to land long on a gravel runway likely resulted in an inability to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after realizing brakes were ineffective.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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