Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the right brake due to the separation of the brake pad from the brake assembly. Also causal was the improper maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in the use of a brake pad that was inappropriate for the airplane make and model.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On January 13, 2022, about 1306 mountain standard time, an Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH, EA-300L airplane, N203EX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
The pilot reported that the right wheel brake failed during the landing roll and the tailwheel-equipped airplane subsequently ground looped. During the accident sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right aileron was substantially damaged. The pilot stated the preflight, taxi, takeoff, and flight was uneventful until the landing roll.
Postaccident examination of the brake by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the brake pad had separated from the brake assembly. The brake pad was found on the airplane’s taxi route. Examination revealed that the pad did not fit into the assembly properly, which could result in its coming loose and separating. Additionally, the brake pad was not authorized for use in the accident airplane make and model.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR22LA088