What happened
On 17 March 1999, a Jet Provost Mk 4, registration G-BWGT, was conducting a private flight from Sandtoft to Liverpool. Upon touchdown on Runway 27, the pilot applied significant braking force to decelerate the aircraft. During the landing roll, the right-hand brake experienced a loss of effectiveness, commonly referred to as brake fade. This loss of braking performance caused the aircraft to veer from the runway surface onto the grass area located at the left side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a halt without sustaining any structural damage.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot submitted an aircraft accident report. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating at a high landing weight due to its current fuel load. The pilot noted that the heavy braking loads applied during the landing roll were likely a contributing factor to the overheating of the braking system. After the aircraft had stopped, the pilot consulted with an engineer. The brakes were permitted to cool down, after which subsequent testing demonstrated that the braking performance had returned to normal levels. At the time of the occurrence, the runway surface was dry, and the wind was recorded at 9 knots from 250°.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a high landing weight due to the amount of fuel on board.
- The pilot applied heavy braking loads during the landing phase.
- The right-hand brake suffered from fade, leading to the loss of directional control on the runway.