Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR09CA143

Bakersfield, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N4134B

BELLANCA 17-31ATC

Analysis

The initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake appeared to operate unevenly with the right brake. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage.

Factual Information

The initial touchdown and landing roll was uneventful, and the pilot applied light pressure on the brakes. He felt the initial deceleration, and then thought that the left brake grabbed. At the same instant, the right wing rose off the ground, and the right brake was thus ineffective. The airplane swerved hard to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake as the right wing settled back to the ground; however, the airplane departed the runway surface. The left wing collided with a taxi way sign, and sustained substantial damage. The impact turned the airplane into the grass median. The pilot then taxied uneventfully to parking.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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