Summary
On August 20, 2018, a Cessna A185 (N93039) was involved in an incident near Mccall, ID. 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 disconnection of the brake cylinder actuator rod, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during a wheel-landing the airplane yawed left and he applied right rudder to counter the yaw. The tail descended to the runway and the left yaw increased. He countered the left yaw with a right brake application as well as the right rudder application. He recalled that the right brake application was "completely ineffective" and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered the rough gravel surface on the left side of the runway, and the pilot applied left rudder and left brake to intentionally ground-loop the airplane. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA501. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N93039.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The disconnection of the brake cylinder actuator rod, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during a wheel-landing the airplane yawed left and he applied right rudder to counter the yaw. The tail descended to the runway and the left yaw increased. He countered the left yaw with a right brake application as well as the right rudder application. He recalled that the right brake application was "completely ineffective" and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered the rough gravel surface on the left side of the runway, and the pilot applied left rudder and left brake to intentionally ground-loop the airplane. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron.
Post-accident examination of the airplane's brake system by Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspectors revealed that the cotter pin and clevis that connects the right brake cylinder connecting rod to the inner right brake pedal connection point was detached and unrecovered.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to landing that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA501