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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 26, 1990 · Cessna 172 · N96839

Maryville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Maryville, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N96839
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA080

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PRELFIGHT, THE LEFT BRAKE WAS 'WEAK.' THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE LEFT BRAKE HYDRAULIC FLUID RESERVOIR WAS LOW AND IT WAS REFILLED. THE BRAKE OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO KY07 TO FURTHER INSPECT THE BRAKE. DURING THE LANDING, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PRESSURE IN THE LEFT BRAKE. THE PILOT GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT BY APPLYING RIGHT BRAKE. THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE LEFT BRAKE LINE WAS WORN THROUGH FROM CHAFING AGAINST A SCREW WHICH SECURES THE STRUT FAIRING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF A HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF FLUID, AND AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING LANDING ROLL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PRELFIGHT, THE LEFT BRAKE WAS 'WEAK.' THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE LEFT BRAKE HYDRAULIC FLUID RESERVOIR WAS LOW AND IT WAS REFILLED. THE BRAKE OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO KY07 TO FURTHER INSPECT THE BRAKE. DURING THE LANDING, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PRESSURE IN THE LEFT BRAKE. THE PILOT GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT BY APPLYING RIGHT BRAKE. THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE LEFT BRAKE LINE WAS WORN THROUGH FROM CHAFING AGAINST A SCREW WHICH SECURES THE STRUT FAIRING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway27
Runway Length1500 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN96839
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data