Accident Details
On June 4, 2020, about 0600 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, registration N8486K, was substantially damaged during an accident near Lincoln, California. The pilot sustained a minor injury. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The wind at the time was reported as calm.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, as soon as the tailwheel began to lift off the ground, the left brake locked up, pulling the aircraft hard left. The pilot applied full right rudder, and the airplane straightened, but the left brake locked again. The pilot pulled the stick back in an attempt to become airborne, but insufficient airspeed prevented sustained flight. The airplane barely cleared the east side of the runway before touching down in a flooded rice field. The main gear sank into the mud, causing the airplane to flip onto its back. This resulted in substantial damage to all four wing panels and the empennage. The pilot evacuated through the left door with a minor injury.
Postaccident Examination
A licensed Federal Aviation Administration airframe and powerplant mechanic performed a postaccident examination of the aircraft's brake system. While rotating the left wheel with the brake off and then with brake pressure applied, the system operated normally, with no anomalies noted. The examination of the brake master cylinder, brake cylinders, and all brake lines and fittings on the left brake revealed no irregularities.