N355ST

On July 19, 2003, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 195, N355ST, piloted by private pilot, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface during landing rollout on runway 14 (4,423 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) at the John H. Batten Airport (RAC), Racine, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed RAC at 1700.

The pilot's written statement reported that upon touchdown the left brake locked, causing the airplane to drift to the left. He stated that "hard right rudder" was applied in an attempt return to the runway centerline. According to the pilot, "as the aircraft was brought to the center of the runway the left wheel began to vibrate." He noted that as he felt the left brake release, the wheel began to "excessively camber and subsequently the left axle failed." As the left axle failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway. According to the pilot, the left landing gear strut subsequently "knifed" into the grass adjacent to the runway and the aircraft ground looped 180 degrees before coming to rest.

A post accident examination determined the left axle had failed causing the left wheel assembly to separate from the strut. The axle showed no evidence of corrosion or pitting. The brake rotor showed no discoloration. Since the brake line was separated between the wheel and the strut, the integrity of the brake system at the time of the accident could not be determined.