What happened
During a scheduled local test flight, a mechanical issue occurred while the aircraft was accelerating down the runway. As the aircraft proceeded through its takeoff roll, the brake on the right main landing gear began to drag. In an effort to prevent the plane from exiting the runway and striking trees located beyond the threshold, the pilot executed an intentional ground loop.
While the maneuver successfully avoided a collision with the nearby vegetation, the force of the maneuver resulted in significant structural damage. The aircraft was declared a total loss, being damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries reported among the two crew members on board during the incident.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to the aircraft's maintenance and the pilot's response. The primary issue was a malfunction within the braking system, specifically involving the right main gear brake dragging during the high-speed portion of the takeoff.
Key findings include:
- A recent change and adjustment to the assembly occurred only two days before the accident.
- There were issues regarding improper clearance and tolerance within the landing gear components.
- The incident was exacerbated by inadequate maintenance and inspection protocols.
- The pilot's delayed action in aborting the takeoff necessitated the extreme evasive maneuver to avoid the trees.