Accident Description
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting a personal flight in an aircraft equipped with pedal brakes on the left side only; the parking brake was accessible to both pilots. The CFI allowed the student to occupy the left front seat, where he would be responsible for operating the normal brakes. During the approach to landing, the CFI reminded the student that the brakes were on his side.
The CFI reported flying the airplane at normal approach speeds and slowing it down on touchdown so that braking would be minimal. The approach was normal until touchdown, when the aircraft began pulling to the left as if the left brake had locked. The CFI instructed the student to "get off the brake," and the student indicated that he had not applied braking.
The aircraft slid sideways, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. Subsequently, the left wing struck the tire of another aircraft.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the brakes revealed no sign of a malfunction. The system appeared to have been operating normally, and no mechanical issues were identified.
Pilot Experience
The CFI had just received his multi-engine rating on July 23, 1989. At the time of the accident, he had accumulated only 40 hours of multi-engine flight time, of which 23 hours were in the same make and model of aircraft as the accident airplane.