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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 15, 1995 · Snow S2A · N4977C

Pasadena, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pasadena, MD
Aircraft
Snow S2A
Tail Number
N4977C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO95LA095

A banner tow airplane veered off the left side of the runway during the landing roll, and collided with an automobile and a parked airplane. The pilot reported that the aircraft has a lockable non-steering tailwheel, which was locked for the landing. He stated that when he applied both brakes to stop the airplane, it began to veer to the left. He attempted to correct by applying more right brake, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the right brake had failed. Records indicated that the airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the most recent Annual Inspection, completed 13 days prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the failure of the right brake during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On September 15, 1995, at about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Snow S2A, N4977C, veered off the left side of the runway while landing at Mountain Road Airport, Pasadena, Maryland. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a banner tow flight under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that during the landing roll as he applied the brake, the airplane veered 30 degrees to the left. He stated that he attempted to correct by applying full right brake, but he was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and exited the runway where it collided with a tree, an automobile and a parked airplane. The FAA Inspector reported that he examined the airplane after the accident and he observed that the right brake had failed. Further examination of the right brake did not disclose the cause of the failure. The pilot reported that the most recent inspection of the airplane was an Annual Inspection, dated September 2, 1995. The airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the Annual Inspection. According to the pilot this aircraft is equipped with a lockable non-steering tailwheel. At the time of the accident the tailwheel was locked.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportMountain Road (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSnow S2A
Tail NumberN4977C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data