Accident Overview
During landing, the aircraft departed the runway surface and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the left brake had locked during the landing, causing the aircraft to drift left of the runway centerline. As the aircraft returned to the centerline, the left wheel began to vibrate and the left axle subsequently failed. The aircraft then veered off the right side of the runway and ground looped 180 degrees before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination determined that the left axle had failed. The axle showed no evidence of corrosion or pitting, and the brake rotor showed no discoloration. The brake line was found separated between the wheel and the strut; as a result, the integrity of the brake system at the time of the accident could not be determined.
Findings
The investigation did not identify a probable cause for the accident. The failure of the left axle occurred during the landing sequence, but the condition of the brake system at the time of the event remains unknown due to the separation of the brake line.