Accident Details
The accident occurred while the pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings on a turf runway that was covered with approximately 1 inch of wet snow and slush. The pilot had successfully completed four touch-and-go landings without incident before the accident sequence began.
Sequence of Events
During the fifth landing roll, the pilot initially applied brake pressure to reduce the airplane's speed but then released the brakes to allow the airplane to continue rolling down the runway. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported that the left brake seized, causing the airplane to swerve abruptly to the left. The airplane subsequently departed the runway surface and impacted a snowbank, resulting in the nose gear collapsing and the airplane nosing over.
Damage and Inspection
The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident. A post-accident inspection of the braking system revealed that the left wheel was unable to rotate due to ice buildup between the rotor and the brake pad. This ice accumulation prevented the brake from releasing properly, leading to the loss of directional control.
Ground Steering System
The airplane was equipped with a castering nose gear, meaning that directional control on the ground was achieved solely through differential braking—applying brakes to one side or the other to steer. The seizure of the left brake eliminated the ability to steer symmetrically, contributing to the leftward swerve.