Braking failure during landing roll leads to runway excursion

No fatalities • Chicago-Executive (Palwaukee), United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a loss of braking effectiveness after touchdown, resulting in the plane sliding off a taxiway and sustaining significant damage.

What happened

Upon landing within the designated touchdown zone, the flight crew attempted to decelerate the aircraft type using brakes and thrust reversers. The pilot reported that the primary braking system failed to engage despite multiple attempts to apply pressure. After the pilot and co-pilot both found the standard brakes ineffective, the pilot engaged the emergency brake handle.

In an effort to increase the available stopping distance, the pilot used the nose wheel tiller to steer toward a taxiway intersecting the runway at a 45-degree angle. During this maneuver, the aircraft slid off the taxiway and into the nearby grass. The impact caused the right main landing gear to collapse and resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported in the source material.

Findings

Post-accident investigations into the aircraft systems found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions regarding the wheel brakes or other critical systems prior to the impact. While the crew reported using thrust reversers, recorded data and video evidence indicated that the thrust reversers were actually not deployed during the landing sequence.

Simulations of the landing roll confirmed that the aircraft experienced reduced deceleration. Calculations suggested that without the use of ground airbrakes, the required stopping distance exceeded the runway length available from the point of touchdown. Although tire skid marks confirmed heavy braking was applied to both the runway and taxiway, the specific reason for the reported lack of braking effectiveness could not be determined. The absence of a flight data recorder prevented investigators from confirming the position of the airbrakes during the event.

Probable cause

The specific cause for the reported loss of braking effectiveness during the landing roll could not be determined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2023-08-21 IAI 1125 Astra accident near Chicago-Executive (Palwaukee), United States of America?

An aircraft experienced a loss of braking effectiveness after touchdown, resulting in the plane sliding off a taxiway and sustaining significant damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 2023-08-21 IAI 1125 Astra accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-08-21 involved a IAI 1125 Astra, registration N39TT, operated by Northern Illinois Flight Center (N-Jet), at Chicago-Executive (Palwaukee), United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The specific cause for the reported loss of braking effectiveness during the landing roll could not be determined.

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