N8714S

Substantial
None

IRVIN STEPHEN D RUTAN LONG E ZS/N: 2037

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, April 22, 2018
NTSB Number
GAA18CA227
Location
Tucson, AZ
Event ID
20180424X14101
Coordinates
32.139167, -111.173614
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s excessive ground speed and loss of directional control while exiting the taxiway.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
IRVIN STEPHEN D
Serial Number
2037
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1987
Model / ICAO
RUTAN LONG E ZBPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
RUTAN LONG E-Z

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
FISHER TIMOTHY S
Address
3002 E EASTLAND
City
TUCSON
State / Zip Code
AZ 85716
Country
United States

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