Accident Overview
On a day with an outside temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit, a pilot was taxiing an aircraft in preparation for takeoff. As the aircraft approached the end of the taxiway, the pilot attempted to stop but found that the right brake did not respond. The aircraft subsequently departed the left side of the taxiway, went down an embankment, encountered a ditch, and nosed over.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that during taxi, when he attempted to apply the brakes to stop the aircraft, the right brake failed to engage. This loss of braking action on one side caused the aircraft to veer left and exit the paved surface. After leaving the taxiway, the aircraft descended an embankment before striking a ditch, which resulted in the aircraft nosing over. The specific aircraft type, registration, and number of occupants were not detailed in the source.
Brake System Examination
A post-accident examination of the braking system revealed the presence of water in the brake fluid, which had frozen into ice at the prevailing low temperature. This ice formation prevented the right brake from operating correctly, leading to the loss of directional control and the subsequent accident.