Event Summary
A pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 34, a 5,100-foot by 100-foot asphalt runway. During one landing, the pilot encountered a problem with the aircraft's left brake.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that upon touchdown, the left brake "stuck," causing the left tire to skid. This event resulted in the collapse of the nose gear, a propeller strike on the runway surface, and the airplane departing the left side of the runway.
FAA Inspection
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft after the incident. The inspector reported no discrepancies with the brake system, noting specifically that there was "no binding or sticking" and that the brakes operated normally. The piston in the left caliper worked freely and the caliper could float. Additionally, no flat spots or damage were observed on the left tire that would indicate a brake had stuck or was dragging.
Brake Condition
Although the brake system functioned as designed, the brake lining was found to be considerably worn. The inspector's report did not attribute the pilot's account of a stuck brake to this wear, nor to any other mechanical anomaly.