DeSousa Jabiru J400

Full Narrative

On January 13, 2008, at 1720 Pacific standard time, an experimental DeSousa Jabiru J400 airplane, N522RJ, overran runway 21 during landing at the Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot, the owner and operator of the airplane, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The airplane departed Catalina Island, California, approximately 35 minutes prior to the accident. Santa Monica was the pilot's intended destination and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated the airplane touched down approximately halfway down the runway. He reported that he applied full brakes, however, approximately three-quarters of the way down the 4,973-foot runway, the brakes failed and the airplane overran the runway. After exiting the runway, the airplane collided with a concrete ditch and skidded down a 35-foot embankment. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing assembly.

Examination of the single-caliper, main wheel brake assemblies by the pilot revealed extensive wear to the brake pads and rotors. He reported that both pads on the right-hand brake assembly were "melted" and the associated backing plate was bent. The actuator piston and associated o-ring was displaced and a fluid leak was noted.

The airplane's most recent conditional inspection was completed on August 27, 2007, at a recorded airframe time of 160 hours. The airplane accrued 22 flight/operational hours between the time of inspection and the accident. The brake pads were original equipment that was installed when the airplane was manufactured.