Incident Summary
On 27 April 2000 at 0749 UTC, a Beech 58 aircraft, registration N80HC, was involved in a taxi incident at Southampton Airport, Hampshire. The aircraft was being taxied for takeoff and had back-tracked down the runway with the intention of turning on the dumb-bell at the runway end.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft entered the dumb-bell, the pilot applied slight left braking to allow a wide turn to the right to align the aircraft with Runway 20 for takeoff. However, when he applied the right brake, no braking occurred. With the aircraft moving too slowly for directional control from the rudder, it continued to roll towards the edge of the tarmac and the grassed area beyond.
Actions Taken
As the aircraft approached the grass, the pilot shut down both engines. However, the left propeller was still turning when the left main wheel sank into the soft ground, causing the propeller to strike the edge of the tarmac. The aircraft became bogged down in the soft ground and later had to be extracted using air bags before being towed back to the maintenance hangar.
Maintenance Findings
Subsequent tests by the maintenance organisation found that no braking action occurred on the right landing wheel when the right brake pedal of either pilot's position was operated. Braking action did occur if the left and right pedals of each set were pressed simultaneously. The symptoms suggested that the right brake shuttle valve was defective. Although no wear or damage was apparent when the valve was dismantled and inspected, replacement of the valve restored full braking.
Damage
Damage was limited to the left propeller being bent, an engine shock load, and damage to the left main landing gear door. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries.