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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 23, 1997 · Cessna 188B · N4926R

Adams, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Adams, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N4926R
Operator
Jim S Aerial Spraying
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA223

During a landing, the airplane exited the runway and impacted trees. The pilot said that the right brake failed to work. A postaccident inspection revealed the right brake master cylinder was devoid of any hydraulic fluid. There was no indication of a leak from the brake system. The airplane had been flown about 32 hours since the last annual inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate maintenance/annual inspection, and subsequent exhaustion of hydraulic (brake) fluid, which resulted in loss of braking action (right brake) and impact with a tree. The proximity of tree(s) was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 1997, at 1115 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N4926R, sustained substantial damage when directional control was lost while landing on a private strip, three miles east of Adams, Nebraska. The airplane exited the runway and impacted trees. The pilot reported no injuries. The right brake master cylinder was found to be empty on examination. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the local flight. The flight departed for an aerial application at 0900. The pilot said that on rollout after landing, the right brake did not work and the airplane exited the runway and ran into trees. He said that on previous flights the brakes had operated normally. He said that he had not had to service the brakes and did not know of any leaks which could be attributed to the brake system. A post accident examination of the airplane found the right brake master cylinder empty of hydraulic fluid. The last inspection of the airplane was an annual inspection on June 1, 1997. The airplane had operated 32 hours since the inspection. There was no indication of a preexisting hydraulic fluid leak in the brake system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (0nm)
Runway18
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN4926R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJim S Aerial Spraying
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:01
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data