Accident Details
On March 1, 2016, at approximately 1130 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, registration N94569, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion following landing at Chester Airport (SNC) in Chester, Connecticut. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane landed on runway 35, a dry asphalt runway measuring 2,722 feet in length and 50 feet in width. After landing, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway, proceeded through a fence, and came to rest in a grassy area. Witnesses reported that the airplane touched down approximately 200 feet beyond the midpoint of the runway.
Pilot Statement
In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing rollout, the right brake felt "ok" while the left brake felt "spongy." The airplane was unable to stop before it exited the right side of the runway. According to a flight instructor for the operator, he and the pilot had flown together for about two hours on both the day before and the day of the accident, as part of a pre-rental checkout in the accident airplane. At no time did the pilot mention any anomalies or malfunctions with the braking system.
Aircraft Examination
Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. Functional testing of the brakes showed they were operational, and no evidence of pre- or post-impact mechanical anomalies was found. Detailed inspection of the brake system found no signs of hydraulic fluid leakage or damage to the brake lines, and the brake pucks were nominal in size with no abnormal wear.
The aircraft was equipped with a Lycoming O-235 series engine rated at 108 horsepower. It had been operated for approximately 100 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on September 1, 2015.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported a total of 1,300 hours of flight experience, with 75 hours in the Cessna 152 make and model.