Accident Overview
On December 24, 2019, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 210L, registration N30259, was substantially damaged when it ground looped into pine trees during landing at Spencer Airport (NC35) in Concord, North Carolina. The pilot sustained minor injuries; the pilot-rated passenger and two other passengers were uninjured. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, while flying the traffic pattern at NC35, he performed one uneventful approach and then conducted a go-around to runway 21, a 2,180 ft long turf runway that was wet from rainfall the previous day. During the second approach, his sight picture appeared normal, but he described being "hot and long." After touching down about halfway down the runway, he tapped the brakes, and the left brake pedal "went to the floor" with little or no resistance. He pumped the brake pedal in an attempt to restore function but was unsuccessful. The airplane veered to the right, and he chose to ground loop it into pine trees on the right side of the runway to avoid a fence and drainage ditch off the end of the runway. The airplane struck trees, spun to the right, and came to rest.
Maintenance History
The pilot reported an intermittent problem with the left brake for nearly two years. He had brought the airplane to two separate maintenance facilities to address the issue. The symptoms were similar to those on the day of the accident; however, he had always been able to regain brake performance by pumping the pedal during previous events. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the master cylinder had been replaced twice, most recently two weeks before the accident and previously in March 2019. It had also been overhauled in January 2019. Several other maintenance entries described replacement of o-rings, line plugs, the brake swivel, and other brake hardware.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial impact damage to the leading edges of both wings and buckling of the fuselage forward of the horizontal stabilizer and forward of the left door. The airplane impacted trees on the right side of runway 21, near the end. A subsequent examination at the salvage facility showed that the left brake pedal had more travel than the right and offered less resistance. No damage to the airplane was observed that would have affected the operation of the pedal.
Runway Marks
A set of marks in the turf runway consistent with a touchdown were found about halfway down the runway. Another set of asymmetrical skid marks led from the center of the runway toward the right side and ended at the impact location. The mark consistent with the right main landing gear was estimated to be about 500 feet long, while the mark consistent with the left main landing gear was estimated to be about 75 feet long. Both marks were relatively continuous up to the impact location.
Weather Conditions
The Concord Regional Airport (JQF), located about 4 miles west of the accident site, was the nearest weather reporting station. At 1550, the reported weather included wind from 360° at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 18°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. For runway 21 (oriented on a heading of 210°), the tailwind component was about 7 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook, the required ground roll distance for landing at gross weight on a dry grass runway with zero wind was 918 ft.