N74291

Substantial
None

BELLANCA 14-13-2S/N: 1404

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA165
Location
Mesquite, NV
Event ID
20110315X61259
Coordinates
36.828056, -114.059448
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The malfunction of the brake system which led to the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N74291
Make
BELLANCA
Serial Number
1404
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
14-13-2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PARTRIDGE FRANK N
Address
26597 JANE AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
HAYWARD
State / Zip Code
CA 94544
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown in several months, and during the preflight inspection, he found that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. The pilot filled the reservoir and reported good braking during taxi for takeoff. At the destination airport, the pilot chose to perform a practice short field landing. The pilot stated that he immediately applied the brakes after touchdown but there was no braking action. He then vigorously pumped the brakes in an attempt to still make a short field landing. The pilot reported that the right brake suddenly functioned, but the left one did not. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the right as there was insufficient rudder effectiveness to straighten the airplane's tracking. The left wing impacted an airport perimeter fence damaging the wing and the lift strut. Additionally, the left main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage, and the right main landing gear splayed outward. The pilot stated that he could have easily made the midfield turnoff with no brakes.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA165