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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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September 15, 1986 · Cessna 195 · N3879V

Porterville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Porterville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 195
Tail Number
N3879V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA351

AFTER A NORMAL LANDING THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO APPLY MODERATE BRAKE PRESSURE TO MAKE THE MID-FIELD TAXIWAY TURN OFF AND FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS 'A LIGHT JERK IN THE LEFT GEAR' FOLLOWED BY A 'SNAPPING SOUND WHICH OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES.' THE PILOT THEN SAID THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE 'AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED A GROUND LOOP.' EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT BRAKE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE DISC DRIVE KEY RETAINING SCREW FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE KEY TO FLOAT LOOSE IN THE BRAKE HOUSING. THE MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM STATED THAT THE LOOSE KEY 'BROKE OUT THE LOWER PART OF THE HOUSING ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINING TO FALL OUT.'

Full Narrative

AFTER A NORMAL LANDING THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO APPLY MODERATE BRAKE PRESSURE TO MAKE THE MID-FIELD TAXIWAY TURN OFF AND FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS 'A LIGHT JERK IN THE LEFT GEAR' FOLLOWED BY A 'SNAPPING SOUND WHICH OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES.' THE PILOT THEN SAID THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE 'AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED A GROUND LOOP.' EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT BRAKE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE DISC DRIVE KEY RETAINING SCREW FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE KEY TO FLOAT LOOSE IN THE BRAKE HOUSING. THE MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM STATED THAT THE LOOSE KEY 'BROKE OUT THE LOWER PART OF THE HOUSING ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINING TO FALL OUT.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest AirportPorterville Muni (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width146 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 195
Tail NumberN3879V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R755A-2 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data