What happened
The pilot was operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane when he initiated the landing phase on an asphalt runway. As the aircraft touched down and began its ground roll, the pilot applied the wheel brakes to manage speed. However, upon releasing pressure on the brake pedals, the left brake mechanism failed to disengage properly. This mechanical fault caused the left side of the aircraft to drag, pulling the airplane toward the left edge of the runway.
To counteract this asymmetric pull and maintain directional control, the pilot applied pressure to the right brake pedal. While this action helped stabilize the aircraft's path, it significantly increased deceleration on that side. As the speed dropped rapidly due to the combined braking effect, the center of gravity shifted forward. The nose gear then collapsed under the weight, resulting in a nose-down attitude for the aircraft.
The investigation
Examination of the event focused on the brake system's operation during the critical landing roll phase. The primary finding was that the left brake remained engaged despite the pilot releasing pedal pressure. This failure prevented normal deceleration and forced the pilot to use compensatory braking techniques that ultimately led to the structural failure of the nose gear.
Findings
- Stuck left brake during landing roll on asphalt surface
- Pilot applied right brake to compensate for asymmetric drag
- Rapid deceleration caused nose gear collapse
- Aircraft nosed down upon slowing