Accident Overview
On July 21, 2017, at about 1100 central daylight time, a Stinson 108 airplane, registration N8954K, departed the runway while landing at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (KLXT) in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The pilot and passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight, operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91, originated from Newton, Kansas, around 0900 and was a cross-country trip with a planned fuel stop at KLXT.
Landing and Runway Excursion
The pilot intended to land on runway 29. After touchdown, the airplane began drifting left. The pilot applied right brake and rudder, but reported that the brake pedal "went to the floor." Unable to correct the leftward turn, the airplane continued off the edge of the runway and came to rest upright.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane and noted a bent propeller, collapsed right landing gear, and substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. The inspection confirmed that the right brake was non-functional. The brake system malfunction was attributed to a probable failure of a seal within the brake system.
Conclusion
The accident resulted from a loss of directional control during landing due to a right brake failure. The exact cause of the seal failure was not determined in the report.