Incident Overview
A twin-engine airplane engaged in a dual instructional flight experienced a landing incident on a 2,640-foot sod runway. The flight instructor was at the controls. The aircraft touched down approximately halfway down the runway. As it approached the east end, the instructor intentionally executed a ground loop to prevent the airplane from crossing a road and entering a wooded area.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, traversed a ditch, and came to rest in the eastbound lane of an adjacent highway. The student pilot—who was being checked out in the airplane—reported that after touchdown, the flaps were retracted and brakes were applied, but there appeared to be no braking action. The brakes were pumped, yet again no braking effect was perceived.
Post-Incident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft’s brake system and performed an operational check. The inspection revealed no preexisting anomalies, and the brakes functioned properly during the test.