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Left Brake Failure Leads to Ground Loop and Nose-Over During Landing (N5486R)

Marksville, LA, US

On June 24, 1989, a Cessna A185F (registration N5486R) operated by Morris, Ivan Jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Marksville, LA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a lack of left brake response, which led to a ground loop and structural failure of the left main landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N5486R
Aircraft registered N5486R. Photo: Michael Sprague from Candler, North Carolina / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During landing, the aircraft drifted right as the pilot applied left brake without response. The plane ground looped, collapsing the left main gear and nosing over.

What happened

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the aircraft began to drift toward the right side of the runway. In an attempt to correct the trajectory, the pilot applied the left brake pedal; however, no braking response was felt or observed. As the situation progressed, the aircraft entered a ground loop to the right. This uncontrolled rotation resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear, followed by the aircraft nosing over onto its fuselage.

The investigation

A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left brake line had failed. However, analysis indicated that this failure was not the initial cause of the incident. Instead, the damage to the brake line appeared to be a result of overstress that occurred during the subsequent collapse of the landing gear.

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a lack of left brake response, which led to a ground loop and structural failure of the left main landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Jun 1989 Cessna A185F accident near Marksville, LA?

During landing, the aircraft drifted right as the pilot applied left brake without response. The plane ground looped, collapsing the left main gear and nosing over.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Jun 1989 Cessna A185F accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Jun 1989 involved a Cessna A185F, registration N5486R, operated by Morris, Ivan Jr., at Marksville, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a lack of left brake response, which led to a ground loop and structural failure of the left main landing gear.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28590. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.