Accident Details
On August 20, 2017, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, registration N1585C, was substantially damaged while taxiing for takeoff at Parlin Field Airport (2B3), Newport, New Hampshire. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time and was destined for Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), Rutland, Vermont.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported performing a preflight inspection that included inspecting the wheel assemblies, noting no fluid on the ground. After engine start, he conducted an engine run-up with no brake issues. He then back-taxied to the approach end of runway 36. During taxi, he observed the left brake pedal did not align exactly with the right brake pedal, but this difference had existed for some time. He continued taxiing using the tailwheel for steering. Near the approach end of the runway, while slowing, the left brake felt normal, but the right brake pedal traveled completely to the floor. To avoid trees off the runway side, he intentionally ground-looped the airplane. He believed the airplane ground-looped twice; during the second turn, he added power for rudder authority, which exacerbated the turn. The right wing impacted the ground, causing substantial damage before the airplane came to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the right brake system after recovery by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed that during brake pedal application, the right brake pedal went to the floor. The right brake master cylinder contained no fluid. Visual inspection of the cockpit area around the right brake pedal showed no evidence of fluid leakage. The right brake was bled of air and the reservoir filled with fluid. Over the course of one week, fluid was observed leaking at the slave cylinder. No determination was made regarding the reason for the leaking slave cylinder.
Maintenance History
The airplane's last annual inspection was completed on June 12, 2017. Since then, the airplane had accrued about 13 hours, and no brake work had been performed. The pilot also stated there were no issues with the brakes on the flight into 2B3.