Summary
On July 05, 2016, a Avions Mudry Et Cie CAP (N42415) was involved in an incident near Spring Branch, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The flight instructor's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll as a result of the malfunctioning brake master cylinder.
According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing roll the airplane encountered a wind gust from right, the airplane began to "weathervane" and he applied left rudder and differential braking. He reported that he was flying the airplane from the right seat and that, "Rather than attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway I allowed the aircraft to depart the right side of the runway under control and in a straight line." The flight instructor reported that he continued to apply the brakes and the airplane crossed the safety area, rolled on to the parallel taxiway, ground looped to the right and struck a drainage culvert.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA368. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N42415.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The flight instructor's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll as a result of the malfunctioning brake master cylinder.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing roll the airplane encountered a wind gust from right, the airplane began to "weathervane" and he applied left rudder and differential braking. He reported that he was flying the airplane from the right seat and that, "Rather than attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway I allowed the aircraft to depart the right side of the runway under control and in a straight line." The flight instructor reported that he continued to apply the brakes and the airplane crossed the safety area, rolled on to the parallel taxiway, ground looped to the right and struck a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder.
The airplane and more specifically the brake master cylinders were examined at the repair facility by a Federal Aviation Administration certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. The mechanic reported that the factory installed brake system was all original, and that the, inspection of the brake master cylinders revealed them to be un-airworthy due to aged and defective O-rings. He reported that, if air is introduced into either the left or right wheel brake master cylinders located on the left side of the airplane, then the brake pedals would be ineffective on either side of the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA368