On February 18, 1993, a Beech 77 (registration N3733B) operated by Van S Aviation Corp. was involved in an aviation accident near Evansville, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which was exacerbated by a left brake that was inoperative on initial application. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A solo student pilot's aircraft veered right upon landing and struck a snowbank, causing a nose-over. Investigation revealed the left brake was inoperative until pumped.
What happened
The solo student pilot landed the aircraft on a dry asphalt runway. During the rollout phase, the airplane veered to the right and impacted a snowbank, resulting in a nose-over. A skid mark extending 200 feet was left on the runway by the right main tire.
The investigation
A post-accident functional examination of the braking system revealed that the right brake operated normally. However, the left brake would not work on initial application. Only after pumping the left brake pedal would the brake hold.
Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. The left brake's inoperative condition until pumped.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which was exacerbated by a left brake that was inoperative on initial application.