Incident Overview
Upon landing, the pilot applied the brakes but found no braking action. As the aircraft neared the departure end of the runway, the pilot determined there was insufficient runway remaining for a takeoff and attempted to turn off the runway instead. After leaving the runway, the aircraft collided with a pile of rocks.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that the approach and landing appeared normal until it became evident that the aircraft was neither decelerating nor initiating a go-around.
Post-Inspection Findings
An inspection of the aircraft revealed that a brake line fitting had been stripped, resulting in a complete loss of brake fluid in the system. The runway surface was clean and dry, with no visible skid marks present.
Manufacturer's Assessment
According to the aircraft manufacturer, at the time the brake failure was discovered, the aircraft was in a position to execute a go-around.