On January 11, 1991, a Cessna 175 (registration N7293M) operated by Davia, Samuel J. Jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Okeechobee, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE RIGHT BRAKE LINE AT THE CALIPER DURING THE LANDING ROLL RENDERING THE BRAKES INEFFECTIVE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF WIND DIRECTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a right brake line failure after landing at a private airport. The aircraft departed the runway, crossed a road, and nosed over in a ditch, collapsing the nose landing gear. A sheriff's deputy noted that the pilot landed with a 15-knot tailwind.
Landing and Brake Failure
The pilot stated that he overflew the private airport and looked at an adjacent lake for indication of wind direction and velocity, but the wind appeared to be light. He elected to land to the north. After touchdown, he applied the brakes, but the right brake line failed at the brake caliper.
Runway Excursion and Damage
Following the brake failure, the aircraft traveled off the end of the runway, across a road, and nosed over after traveling down a ditch embankment. The embankment collapse resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear.
Wind Conditions
According to a sheriff's deputy who responded to the accident site, the pilot landed with a 15-knot tailwind. The pilot further stated that there is no windsock at the airport.