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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

July 10, 1997 · Beech 55 · N45CW

Murfreesboro, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Murfreesboro, TN
Aircraft
Beech 55
Tail Number
N45CW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL97LA100

While applying brakes on the landing roll, the left brake pedal collapsed, and the airplane started drifting to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied right engine throttle to correct for the right drift condition. The airplane rolled off the right side of the 3,800-foot-long runway approximately 3,800 feet down the runway. An examination of the left brake assembly at the accident site revealed that there was no brake fluid in the left reservoir. The left brake assembly functioned normally during subsequent testing. There were no obvious signs of fluid leakage on the reservoir or brake assemblies. A review of the aircraft maintenance logs revealed that an annual inspection had been completed on the airplane about 55 hours before the accident. The maintenance logs stated that the airplane brakes were serviced during the last annual inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the aircraft braking system due to low brake pressure resulting from the undetermined loss of brake fluid from the brake reservoir.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 1997, at 0715 central daylight time, a Beech 55, N45CW, veered off the right side of runway 18, collided with runway lights and signs, and collapsed the nose gear during a full stop landing at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The business flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight clearance. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial rated pilot and her passenger were not injured. The flight departed Arlington, Tennessee, at 0600. According to the pilot, the approach profile appeared to have been normal to touchdown. After touchdown, and while applying brakes on the landing roll, the left brake pedal collapsed, and the airplane started drifting to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied right engine throttle to correct for the right drift condition. The airplane rolled off the right side of the 3800 foot long runway approximately 3800 feet down the runway. A review of the aircraft maintenance logs revealed that an annual inspection had been completed on the airplane about 55 hours before the accident. The maintenance logs stated that the airplane brakes were serviced during the last annual inspection. An examination of the left brake assembly at the accident site revealed that there was no brake fluid in the left reservoir. The left brake assembly functioned normally during subsequent testing. There were no obvious signs of fluid leakage on the brake or reservoir assemblies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 CDT
Nearest AirportMurfreesboro Municipal (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length3898 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 55
Tail NumberN45CW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data