No fatalities

Brake Failure Leads to Runway Excursion After Landing

Albany, OR, United States

On September 14, 2009, a CESSNA T210J operated by Deborah Criger was involved in an aviation accident near Albany, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The malfunction of the left main wheel brake during landing due to inadequate hydraulic fluid in the left brake pedal master cylinder due to leakage. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During landing rollout, the pilot discovered the left brake had no resistance. Right brake application caused a skid, and the airplane departed the runway, striking a sign support. Investigation found the left brake master cylinder had leaked fluid.

Incident

After an uneventful touchdown for a full-stop landing, the pilot initially raised the airplane's nose for aerodynamic braking. She then lowered the nose wheel to the runway and began applying the wheel brakes. At that time, she discovered that there was no resistance from the left brake pedal and that the left brake was not working. Although she applied the right brake hard, that wheel began to skid, and the airplane departed the right side of the end of the runway.

After departing the runway, the airplane's horizontal stabilizer impacted a runway sign support box.

Investigation

An inspection of the left brake master cylinder by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector determined that it contained only residual hydraulic fluid near its bottom, and that fluid had been leaking past the shaft that protrudes from the master cylinder and connects to the brake pedal.

Contributing factors

Causes

Inoperative

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Sept 2009 CESSNA T210J accident near Albany, OR?

During landing rollout, the pilot discovered the left brake had no resistance. Right brake application caused a skid, and the airplane departed the runway, striking a sign support. Investigation found the left brake master cylinder had leaked fluid.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Sept 2009 CESSNA T210J accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Sept 2009 involved a CESSNA T210J, operated by Deborah Criger, at Albany, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The malfunction of the left main wheel brake during landing due to inadequate hydraulic fluid in the left brake pedal master cylinder due to leakage.