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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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November 2, 1991 · Questaire Venture · N71T

San Luis Obispo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Aircraft
Questaire Venture
Tail Number
N71T
Operator
Michael C Thomas
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA038

ON THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GRADUAL RIGHT TURN WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS. THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE NOSE GEAR FORK FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. THE INSPECTOR NOTED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS WERE INTERCONNECTED. THE 'O' RING SEALS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY DETERIORATED AND HE REPORTED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. THE KIT MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS USING AN AUTOMOTIVE TYPE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. THE INSPECTOR STATED HIS OPINION THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE FLUID WAS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE 'O' RING MATERIAL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE AND STEERING SYSTEMS WAS DUE TO A DETERIORATION OF THE 'O' RING SEALS CAUSED BY THE USE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL IN THE SEALS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE SYSTEM DESIGN BY THE KIT MANUFACTURER.

Full Narrative

ON THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GRADUAL RIGHT TURN WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS. THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE NOSE GEAR FORK FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. THE INSPECTOR NOTED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS WERE INTERCONNECTED. THE 'O' RING SEALS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY DETERIORATED AND HE REPORTED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. THE KIT MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS USING AN AUTOMOTIVE TYPE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. THE INSPECTOR STATED HIS OPINION THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE FLUID WAS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE 'O' RING MATERIAL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 PST
Nearest AirportMcchesney Fld (0nm N)
Runway29
Runway Length4799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuestaire Venture
Tail NumberN71T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael C Thomas
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550D · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data