Accident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 in a tailwheel airplane equipped with tundra tires. The landing was performed on a non-maintained dirt overrun adjacent to a hard-surfaced runway. During the landing roll, the airplane's tires encountered deep ruts and soft dirt, leading to a loss of directional control.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain directional control after the tires entered the ruts. He further indicated that the right brake pedal felt flat and ineffective, which may have exacerbated the difficulty in controlling the airplane during the landing roll.
Mechanic's Findings
An aviation mechanic who subsequently repaired the airplane noted that the right brake assembly had a slow fluid leak. The mechanic assessed that the braking action may have been reduced at the time of the accident. During repairs, the mechanic replaced portions of the right brake assembly.
Technical Details
The airplane was a tailwheel design with tundra tires, intended for operations on unpaved surfaces. The overrun area consisted of deep ruts and soft dirt, which likely contributed to the loss of control. The brake system issue, identified by the mechanic, involved a leak that could compromise braking performance.