CESSNA 170A

Anchorage, AK — September 5, 2011

Event Information

DateSeptember 5, 2011
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberANC11CA095
Event ID20110905X01931
LocationAnchorage, AK
CountryUSA
Coordinates61.18667, -149.96527
AirportLake Hood Airstrip
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model170A
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The fracture of a hydraulic brake line fitting due to incorrect installation of the brake line by the pilot/owner, which resulted in a loss of brake pressure and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, gravel runway at the conclusion of a local area flight. After landing, the pilot applied the brakes to slow the landing roll, and while depressing both brake pedals, the left brake pedal unexpectedly went to the floor, and the airplane swerved to the right. The airplane subsequently went off the right side of the runway and nosed over in an area of soft, marshy, wet tundra, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, left wing, and left aileron. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector's postaccident inspection revealed that a hydraulic brake supply line fitting, near the airplane's fuselage, had broken. The FAA inspector noted that the hydraulic brake line was not secured to the landing gear strut as required, which allowed the line to flex and bend at the fitting during flight. The pilot reported the he recently rebuilt the airplane himself.

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.

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