CESSNA 421
Amarillo, TX, October 14, 2015
Event Information
| Date | October 14, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Amarillo, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 35.08139, -101.75584 |
| Airport | RIVER FALLS |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | GAA16CA042 |
| Event ID | 20151105X44223 |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 421 |
| Registration # | N19CH |
| Operator | First Flight |
| Owner | OHARA AVIATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES LC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The loss of directional control during taxi to the runway as a result of insufficient brake fluid level in the right brake master cylinder, resulting in a taxiway excursion and collision with a drainage culvert.
Full Narrative
According to the flight instructor, during the taxi to the runway, the pilot receiving instruction stated that he did not have authority in the right brake. The flight instructor reported that he too applied pressure to the right brake to no avail. He reported that the airplane exited the runway to the left, impacted a drainage culvert and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The airplane brake system was examined by the operator's Director of Maintenance, who determined that the right brake master cylinder was low on fluid causing the brakes to be weak. The last maintenance performed on the brakes occurred on 7/8/2015 at which time both brake discs were replaced and all the brake pads were replaced. The total time on the airplane since the last maintenance on the brakes was 33.6 hours.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.