What happened
During the conclusion of a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, a pilot was performing a landing on a hard-surfaced runway. At the end of the runway, the pilot utilized a non-maintained dirt overrun. As the tailwheel airplane continued its landing roll onto this surface, the tires encountered deep ruts and soft dirt. The pilot reported being unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft during this phase of flight.
The investigation
Following the accident, an aviation mechanic performed repairs on the aircraft. During the inspection, it was noted that the right brake assembly had a slow fluid leak. This condition may have resulted in diminished braking action at the time of the incident. The mechanic replaced portions of the right brake assembly as part of the repair process.
Findings
- The pilot encountered deep ruts and soft dirt on a non-maintained dirt overrun.
- The pilot reported that the right brake felt flat and ineffective, which may have contributed to the loss of directional control.