Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 19, 2016 · Chance Vought F4U 5 5 · N179PT

East Troy, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
East Troy, WI
Aircraft
Chance Vought F4U 5 5 (1948)
Tail Number
N179PT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA274

Before the accident flight, the airplane's brakes were replaced with a custom brake system. Testing of the brake system after installation resulted in a failure of the right master cylinder. The cylinder was disassembled and the O-ring was found cut. The mechanic could not find any reason for the cut O-ring, so the O-rings on both master cylinders were replaced. The next brake test resulted in a brake fluid boil, and the brake builder informed the mechanic to change the type of hydraulic fluid. A subsequent ground brake test produced "no issues or hesitation with the brakes at all," to include "a full pressure pedal push to simulate a full locked brake to pressure test [the] system prior to taxi test." A maintenance flight was then conducted, and, during landing, the airplane began to drift to the right. The commercial pilot applied the left brake; however, the brake failed and the pedal "went to the floor." The airplane departed the runway and collided with a wind sock structure. Postaccident examination revealed that the left brake master cylinder O-ring was cut; however, the reason for the cut could not be determined. After the accident, the mechanic contacted the master cylinder manufacturer for guidance. The company replaced the master cylinders with an upgraded model. The new cylinders were installed on the airplane and the mechanic, with guidance from the custom brake manufacturer, conducted more testing. A second airplane flew with the newer brake system without issue.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the O-ring in the left brake master cylinder for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.

Full Narrative

On July 19, 2016, about 1120 central daylight time, a Vought F4U-5 Corsair airplane, N179PT, departed the runway surface after landing at the East Troy Municipal Airport (57C), East Troy, Wisconsin. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Fighters & Legends LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight. The local flight departed 57C about 1115.The pilot departed from 57C on a maintenance flight, in order to test the airplane brakes. He reported that the brake tested normal during the taxi. He applied the brakes several times in flight, and received positive pressure of the brake pedals. On the full stop landing to runway 8, the pilot applied the brakes and received normal braking action. As the airplane slowed, it slowly drifted to the right. The pilot applied a small amount of left brake to correct the drift and the pedal went to the floor; pumping the pedal did not correct the problem. In order to avoid a ditch, the pilot applied the right brake; however, the airplane's wing collided with the airfield's windsock. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's right wing. Prior to the accident, the airplane's brakes were replaced with a custom brake system using Grove master cylinders. Testing of the brake system after installation resulted in a failure of the right master cylinder. The cylinder was disassembled and the O-ring was found cut. The mechanic could not find any reason for the cut O-ring, so the O-rings on both master cylinders were replaced with Viton O-rings and care was given to carefully place them into the cylinders. The next brake test resulted in a brake fluid boil, so the brake builder informed the mechanic to change the hydraulic fluid from MIL-PRF 5606 to MIL-PRF-83282. A subsequent ground brake test produced "no issues or hesitation with the brakes at all" to include "a full pressure pedal push to simulate a full locked brake to pressure test [the] system prior to taxi test." After the accident, the mechanic contacted the master cylinder manufacturer (not the brake builder) for guidance. The company replaced the master cylinders with an upgraded model. The new cylinders were installed on the accident airplane and the mechanic, with guidance from the custom brake manufacturer, conducted more testing. On February 6, 2017, a second Corsair flew with the newer brake system without issue.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 CDT
Nearest AirportEast Troy Muni (0nm W)
Runway08
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChance Vought F4U 5 5
Tail NumberN179PT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R2800 · Reciprocating · 2100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data