Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW04CA184

Tiller, AR, USA

Aircraft #1

N6555K

Grumman G-164C

Analysis

The 17,174-hour pilot, stated that after landing on a 3,750 feet long and 150 feet wide concrete and turf runway, the right main landing gear braking system "gave way," and he was not able to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane airplane veered off the left side of the runway into a ditch. The reason for the brake failure was not determined.

Factual Information

On July 16, 2004, at 1245 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164C single-engine, tail-equipped agricultural airplane, N6555K, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of directional control during landing roll at Flying G Ranch Airport (AR79), near Tillar, Arkansas. The commercial pilot did not sustain any injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Moss Flying Service of Tillar, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was terminating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 17,174-hour pilot reported that after landing on runway 27 (3,750 feet long and 150 feet wide concrete and turf runway), the right main landing gear braking system "gave way." Subsequently, the airplane turned to the left, impacted a ditch, and nosed into the ground. Examination by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left landing gear was collapsed, the firewall was bent, and both wings sustained structural damage to the spars. Further examination revealed that hydraulic fluid in the right master brake cylinder was empty. According to the aircraft's logbooks, the airplane had accumulated approximately 233 hours since the last annual inspection on April 4, 2004. At that time, the airframe total time was 2,634 hours.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane while landing due to a brake system failure.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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