What happened
Upon completing the landing roll, the pilot-in-command reported that he experienced a total loss of braking capability on the left side of the aircraft. To bring the airplane to a halt despite the malfunction, the pilot made the decision to intentionally perform a ground loop maneuver.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot provided details regarding the condition of the braking system. He stated that the brakes had been modified using a Cleveland brake modification kit. According to his account, the bolt heads associated with this modification had pulled through the backing plate, which likely contributed to the failure.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the mechanical failure of the left brake assembly. The pilot's decision to ground loop was a direct response to the inability to steer or stop using normal braking procedures on that side. No parts were submitted for further technical examination by investigators.