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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 27, 2017 · Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG 550FG · N2526C

Oro Valley, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Oro Valley, AZ
Aircraft
Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG 550FG (2006)
Tail Number
N2526C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA037

The pilot reported that the engine surged during an attempted takeoff, and she aborted the takeoff. She let the engine idle for about 5 minutes and then attempted another takeoff. However, the engine surged again. The pilot applied the brakes and aborted the second takeoff. As the pilot was trying to determine the problem and was planning to taxi back to the hangar, the airplane started rolling across the runway and the pilot lost braking capability. The airplane rolled across and off the runway into a ditch. The brakes caught fire which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane was at its maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. The pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane stated that after heavy braking, especially when the airplane is near gross weight, the pilot should allow the brakes to cool for about 20 minutes before additional heavy braking, as the brakes may overheat. It is likely that due to insufficient time to allow the brakes to cool, during the second aborted takeoff sequence, the brakes overheated, which resulted in a brake fire and led to the pilot's loss of braking capability.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate cooling time between repeated heavy braking applications, which resulted in the brakes overheating and a subsequent brake fire during the aborted takeoff sequence.

Full Narrative

On November 27, 2017, about 1130 mountain standard time, a Columbia LC41-550FG airplane, N2526C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Oro Valley, Arizona. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during an attempted takeoff at La Cholla Airpark (57AZ), Oro Valley, Arizona, the engine surged and she aborted the takeoff. She let the engine idle for about 5 minutes and then attempted another takeoff. However, the engine surged again. The pilot stated that she applied the brakes and aborted the second takeoff. As she was about to return to the hangar, she lost braking capability, the airplane rolled off the runway into a ditch, and she saw flames when she looked out. The fire substantially damaged the right wing and fuselage. The passenger stated that the brakes caught fire during taxi after the second aborted takeoff, and the brake lines burned through during the fire. The pilot reported that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was 3,600 lbs, which is the airplane’s maximum gross weight. The Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG) Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Section 4, Normal Procedures, states that "After heavy braking, especially when the airplane is near gross weight, allow the brakes to cool for about 20 minutes before additional heavy braking. The brakes may overheat if there is repeated heavy braking without adequate cooling time."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MST
Nearest AirportLa Cholla Airpark (0nm E)
Runway19
Runway Length4670 ft
Runway Width44 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG 550FG
Tail NumberN2526C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · TSIO-550-C9 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 71 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data