Accident Overview
On July 28, 2009, at approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a North American AT-6G tailwheel-equipped airplane, registration N555Q, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll and subsequent ground loop at Ely Airport (ELY), Ely, Nevada. The private pilot, who occupied the front seat, and the passenger in the rear seat were not injured. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91 without a filed flight plan. The cross-country flight had departed Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California, around 1045, with Ely as its destination.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that he performed a normal visual approach and smooth landing on Runway 30. After touchdown, he lowered the tail at about 30 to 40 miles per hour and applied brakes to slow the airplane. The pilot stated that upon braking, the airplane pulled to the right. As the airplane veered off the right side of the runway onto what appeared to be hard ground, he turned off the fuel, mixture, magnetos, and master switch. After exiting the runway onto softer desert ground, the left main landing gear caught in the soft sand, then failed. This caused the aircraft's left wing tip to touch the ground and bent the propeller on one side. The pilot reported the wind at the time was from 300 degrees at 7 knots.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination found that the left wing had sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness aviation safety inspector examined both the left and right brakes. The inspector reported that both brakes exhibited normal wear, the left and right wheel bearings had fresh grease and were in good condition, and the left and right spindles had fresh grease with no sign of damage. The post-accident inspection did not reveal any preexisting failure or malfunction that would have resulted in the loss of control.
Previous Reports
The pilot reported that prior to the accident he had discovered three separate reports from three separate owner/pilots of the accident airplane, which detailed multiple, ongoing brake lock-up problems and brake system incidents. However, no maintenance records were provided to the investigator-in-charge during the investigation to indicate that there had been a previous problem with either brake.