Preflight Inspection
A pilot with 1,073 hours of flight experience reported that during a preflight inspection, he noticed a red fluid seeping from the belly of the aircraft. He stated that this was "becoming a common occurrence, requiring him to fill the brake reservoir frequently." The pilot checked the brakes before starting the engine and had no issues holding the aircraft stationary with brakes during engine run-up.
Landing Sequence
Unsatisfied with the initial landing on runway 20, a 5,500-foot long and 124-foot wide turf runway, the pilot decided to perform a touch-and-go landing without using the brakes. During the second landing, "all was well until the ground roll, at an approximate speed of 50 miles per hour." At that point, the aircraft began to veer to the right, and the pilot applied left brake.
Ground Loop and Damage
As the speed reduced, the aircraft began to ground loop, shearing off the left landing gear at the fuselage.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the aircraft brake system by the pilot revealed that hydraulic fluid was leaking from the reservoir cap on the left brake master cylinder (Cessna Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog Part Number 0411302-21) in the area where the mounting lug (Part Number 0411302-8) bolts onto the reservoir cap.