What happened
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a personal flight in an aircraft equipped with single-side pedal brakes located on the left side only. During this flight, the instructor permitted the student to occupy the left front seat, placing him in a position where he would be responsible for operating the normal brakes.
The instructor reported that the approach to landing was performed at normal speeds and that the aircraft was slowed significantly prior to touchdown to minimize the need for braking. While the approach remained normal until touchdown, the aircraft suddenly began pulling to the left as if the left brake had locked up. Although the instructor instructed the student to release the brakes, the student maintained that he had not applied any braking pressure.
Following this pull to the left, the aircraft slid sideways, resulting in the collapse of the left main gear. During the excursion, the left wing struck the tire of another aircraft. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
An examination of the braking system was conducted following the accident. The inspection revealed no signs of a mechanical malfunction within the brakes.