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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 4, 2002 · Maule M-4-210C · N51460

Reno, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Reno, NV
Aircraft
Maule M-4-210C
Tail Number
N51460
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA145

The pilot said that he applied the brakes shortly after takeoff to stop the wheels from rotating and upon landing, the right brake was locked or dragging and the airplane ground looped. The surface wind was reported calm. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane after it had been moved to a hangear, the pilot stated that during taxi, on several occasions, when the brakes were applied the right brake would stick and the problem was the parking brake clip on top of the right master cylinder.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent activation of the parking brake and locking of the right brake. A contributing factor was the pilot's operation of the aircraft with a known malfunction of the right brake system.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2002, at 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-4-210, N51460, ground looped during landing at the Reno/Stead airport, Reno, Nevada. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The tail wheel equipped airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was operated by Diamax, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from a private airstrip near Reno at 0850. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot told the FAA inspector that he applied the brakes shortly after takeoff to stop the wheels from rotating. In the pilot/operator report form, the pilot stated that upon landing, the right brake was locked or dragging and when he touched down, the airplane ground looped. The surface wind was reported calm. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane after it had been moved to a hangar, the pilot stated that during taxi, on several occasions, when the brakes were applied the right brake would stick and the problem was the parking brake clip on top of the master cylinder.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PDT
Nearest AirportReno/Stead (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length7600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-4-210C
Tail NumberN51460
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-D33A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data