Summary
On April 22, 2018, a Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E Z (N8714S) was involved in an incident near Tucson, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s excessive ground speed and loss of directional control while exiting the taxiway.
According to the pilot in the airplane with a retractable nose-wheel, he landed about mid-field on the 4,000ft long runway, and his approach speed had been about 10 knots fast.
During the landing roll, the pilot started a right turn to exit his approaching taxiway and pressed the brakes hard, because the airplane's ground speed was too fast. He reported that he heard a "small pop" and that he had "no braking control" and the airplane veered to the left.
He released the brake pressure and retracted the nose landing gear to slow the airplane. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and collided with trees.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA227. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8714S.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s excessive ground speed and loss of directional control while exiting the taxiway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot in the airplane with a retractable nose-wheel, he landed about mid-field on the 4,000ft long runway, and his approach speed had been about 10 knots fast.
During the landing roll, the pilot started a right turn to exit his approaching taxiway and pressed the brakes hard, because the airplane's ground speed was too fast. He reported that he heard a "small pop" and that he had "no braking control" and the airplane veered to the left.
He released the brake pressure and retracted the nose landing gear to slow the airplane. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and collided with trees.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left canard and the right wing.
A Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector examined the airplane after the accident. He reported that the right brake fluid line failed at the brake caliper. He asserted that the brake line failure was not a material failure, rather it was the result of the airplane's collision with trees.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA227