Accident Details
On March 4, 2020, at approximately 2315 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182A, registration N4031D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Moab, Utah. The pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported performing a normal three-point landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 21 at night. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, which the pilot corrected by applying left rudder. Shortly after, the airplane "pulled hard to the right" and, despite the pilot's control inputs, exited the right side of the runway onto soft gravel and nosed over. The pilot added that he believed the right brake was “dragging significantly.”
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. Further inspection showed that the fitting where the brake line attaches to the upper portion of the brake caliper was slightly bent outward toward the wheel assembly. This allowed a portion of the brake line attached to the fitting to contact the inner wheel assembly.
An area of scratched or displaced paint, approximately 3/4 to 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch tall, was observed on the wheel assembly. No additional damage was noted on the inboard portion of the wheel assembly. Additional damage was observed on the inboard side of the brake line sleeve fitting.
Brake System Condition
The brake caliper and rotor were found to be unremarkable. When the brake line was pulled away from the wheel assembly, the wheel rotated freely by hand and was not restricted. However, when the brake line was not pulled away from the wheel assembly, it contacted the assembly and rotated slightly before it stopped. It could not be determined when the caliper fitting was bent.