What happened
On June 16, 2015, a Cessna 150 was conducting a training flight following a route between EPWS, EPWR, EPMR, and EPWS. After completing the first intermediate landing at EPWR at 18:45 LMT, the aircraft began taxiing via taxiways C, B, and A toward parking stand number 1. During the taxiing process, which was being performed by the student pilot under the supervision of an instructor, the aircraft experienced severe difficulty maintaining its direction. The aircraft began veering to the left, eventually making it impossible to maintain a straight path along the taxiway.
To resolve the situation, the taxiing was halted, and the aircraft was pushed from taxiway B to a safe distance. Following an inspection by a mechanic, the brakes were serviced, allowing the aircraft to return to Szymany airport.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical behavior of the aircraft during taxiing under specific environmental conditions. The inquiry established that the aircraft's inability to maintain a straight course was linked to the performance of the braking system during the taxiing sequence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the overheating of the left main landing gear brake assembly.
- This overheating was triggered by prolonged taxiing in high ambient temperatures.
- The situation was further exacerbated by the student pilot's improper use of the brakes during the taxiing maneuver.