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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 5, 2011 · Cessna 170A · N5406C

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 170A
Tail Number
N5406C
Operator
Joseph Gugel
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC11CA095

The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, gravel runway at the conclusion of a local area flight. After landing, the pilot applied the brakes to slow the airplane, and, while depressing both brake pedals, the left brake pedal unexpectedly went to the floor. The airplane swerved to the right, went off the right side of the runway, and nosed over in an area of soft, marshy, wet tundra, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, left wing, and left aileron. A postaccident examination revealed that a hydraulic brake supply line fitting near the airplane's fuselage had broken, which resulted in a loss of brake pressure to the left brake. The hydraulic brake line was not secured to the landing gear strut as required, which allowed the line to flex and bend at the fitting during flight. The pilot reported that he recently rebuilt the airplane himself.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fracture of a hydraulic brake line fitting due to incorrect installation of the brake line by the pilot/owner, which resulted in a loss of brake pressure and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, gravel runway at the conclusion of a local area flight. After landing, the pilot applied the brakes to slow the landing roll, and while depressing both brake pedals, the left brake pedal unexpectedly went to the floor, and the airplane swerved to the right. The airplane subsequently went off the right side of the runway and nosed over in an area of soft, marshy, wet tundra, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, left wing, and left aileron. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector's postaccident inspection revealed that a hydraulic brake supply line fitting, near the airplane's fuselage, had broken. The FAA inspector noted that the hydraulic brake line was not secured to the landing gear strut as required, which allowed the line to flex and bend at the fitting during flight. The pilot reported the he recently rebuilt the airplane himself.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:41 AKDT
Nearest AirportLake Hood Airstrip (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170A
Tail NumberN5406C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph Gugel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C145 SERIES · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 45 C
Altimeter29.03 inHg
Observation Time15:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data