ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 225687
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| Date: | Sunday 11 February 2018 |
| Time: | 12:58 |
| Type: |  Rutan VariEze |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N944X |
| MSN: | 893 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1982 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1536 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental O-200 SERIES |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Santa Monica, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | LA VERNE, CA (POC) |
| Santa Monica, CA (SMO) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The private pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the experimental amateur-built airplane experienced a partial loss of right brake effectiveness. The pilot attempted to counter the directional control imbalance as the roll continued, but he became concerned that the airplane might run off the end of the runway and the drop-off at the end, so he applied maximum brake pressure. The airplane then veered left, departed the runway, and impacted a hangar.
Postaccident examination revealed that a slow fluid leak had developed at the inlet fitting of the right brake caliper, and the fluid level in the reservoir for the right brake master cylinder had dropped to just under half of its capacity. This leak most likely allowed air to be introduced into the system either through the fitting or the depleted brake reservoir, which resulted in reduced effectiveness of the right brake. Maintenance records indicated that the pilot replaced the hydraulic lines on the right side about 147 flight hours before the accident.
The airplane was equipped with a free-castering nosewheel and ground steering was accomplished through differential braking once rudder effectiveness diminished at lower speeds. Therefore, with the loss of braking effectiveness on one side, the pilot had limited means to effectively slow the airplane and maintain directional control once the airplane decelerated to a speed below which rudder authority was available.
Probable Cause: An undetected fluid leak in the right brake line, which resulted in a reduction of braking effectiveness at the right wheel and a loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 01-Jun-2019 07:28 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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