Incident Overview
The flight crew reported that while taxiing after their first landing, the co-pilot informed the captain that the left brake did not feel normal. The captain concurred, and they taxied the aircraft to a maintenance facility for inspection. A mechanic visually examined the brake system but found no issues. The flight crew noted that the brake lines had recently been replaced, and the mechanic instructed them to pump the brakes to address potential air in the lines.
Precautionary Measures
Prior to the second takeoff, the flight crew pumped the brakes and felt that the pressure had returned to normal. However, during the second landing ground roll, the left braking action failed. To prevent the aircraft from running off the end of the runway and into a river, the captain deliberately applied hard right rudder and right brake, causing a ground loop.
Post-Incident Inspection
Following the incident, the brake system was inspected. The left side brake master cylinder was removed and subjected to a functional test, which showed that the assembly met all engineering requirements. The spot putty securing the cover to the body was consistent with Cessna production assembly practices, indicating that the cylinder had never been overhauled. The unit was disassembled, and no evidence of wear, scratches, or pitting was found.