Incident Overview
A private pilot with a recent certification was taxiing for departure when a brake failure caused the aircraft to depart the taxiway. The pilot reported taxiing at 6-8 MPH and attempting to apply brakes, but the left brake failed while the right brake functioned, causing the aircraft to veer off the taxiway and down an embankment.
Physical Evidence
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided a drawing indicating that the aircraft left 31 feet of skid marks on the runway and slid an additional 42 feet on a grassy area before going down the embankment.
Aircraft Examination
Post-incident examination of the aircraft revealed that the brake pedals would bleed down if slight pressure was held on them, but would recover with one pump of the brakes.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 2.5 total hours in the make and model, with 1.1 hours as pilot-in-command. The FAA examiner who conducted the pilot's private pilot checkride on February 5, 1988, had noted a criticism that the pilot taxied too fast.