Incident Overview
A pilot/owner reported that, while landing at his private airstrip, he encountered a quartering tailwind that remained within the airplane's operational limits. The approach was conducted with a slightly higher airspeed to compensate for the wind conditions. During the landing rollout, the pilot discovered that he had "nil" braking capability. The airplane subsequently overran the end of the 2,200-foot runway and collided with a pine tree.
Brake System Issue
The pilot/owner attributed the loss of braking effectiveness to improper installation of recently replaced brakes. He stated that the brakes had not been properly seated, which resulted in very limited braking action during the landing roll. The pilot did not report any pre-existing mechanical issues with the aircraft beyond the brake seating problem.
Runway and Environment
The incident occurred at the pilot's private airstrip, which has a runway length of 2,200 feet. The wind conditions at the time included a quartering tailwind, though the pilot noted it was within the airplane's certified limits. The aircraft came to rest after striking a pine tree beyond the runway end.
Probable Cause
The source identifies the probable cause as the pilot's failure to properly seat the recently installed brakes, resulting in very limited braking action.