What happened
The pilot reported that braking performance was significantly reduced due to ice and snow covering the runway. To manage deceleration, he utilized pumping actions while applying the brakes. Approximately halfway down the runway, the left brake system lost all hydraulic pressure simultaneously with another aircraft taxiing onto the active surface.
To achieve additional deceleration, the pilot steered the aircraft into one foot of deep snow. However, a dirt hump concealed beneath the snow was struck by the right main landing gear. This impact resulted in damage to the right main gear assembly, along with minor damage to the wing tips and the tail skid area.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot inspected the left brake system. He discovered that the lower brake pad was completely missing. Additionally, there was clear evidence that hydraulic fluid had vented overboard from the braking system, indicating a catastrophic failure of the internal components.
Findings
The primary contributing factors were the ice and snow covered runway conditions which reduced traction, the missing left brake pad, and the subsequent loss of left brake pressure. These mechanical failures necessitated an emergency maneuver that resulted in ground contact with a concealed obstruction.