# NTSB ANC13CA075: Cessna 185D, N75LE, North Pole, AK, August 8, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2013, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: North Pole, AK - Coordinates: 64.755554, -147.385833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7556&lon=-147.3858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87719 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87719/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87719 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA075 ## Probable cause The malfunction of the right main wheel brake during taxi due to a faulty O-ring in the right brake pedal master cylinder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: master cylinder/brake valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had completed his before takeoff checks, and was taxiing the tailwheel-equipped airplane onto the runway for departure. He added power and initiated a left turn to align the airplane with the runway, while attempting to stop the turn the right brake failed and the airplane ground looped striking the right wing on the gravel runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. An examination of the right brake master cylinder revealed that the right brake would not hold pressure and the O-ring within the master cylinder had dried out allowing brake fluid to leak past. ## Factual narrative The pilot had completed his before takeoff checks, and was taxiing the tailwheel-equipped airplane onto the runway for departure. He added power and initiated a left turn to align the airplane with the runway, while attempting to stop the turn the right brake failed and the airplane ground looped striking the right wing on the gravel runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. An examination of the right brake master cylinder revealed that the right brake would not hold pressure and the O-ring within the master cylinder had dried out allowing brake fluid to leak past. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75LE), registered now, S/N 185-0870, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185D - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0870 - Airframe hours: 2444 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2013 - Departed: 95Z, North Pole, AK - Destination: 95Z, North Pole, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 95Z, Bradley Sky-Ranch, runway 15, 4,100 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 5,183 total, 150 in this make and model, 5,183 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130808015729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130808015729A), Aug 8, 2013: Cessna 185D, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. After taxi from the parking spot the pilot made a right hand turn to taxi to the run up area. While at the run up area the pilot noticed that the right brake… ## Other investigations on N75LE (5) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC93LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA086), May 23, 1993: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING. - [NTSB ANC89LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA111), Jul 1, 1989: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. - [NTSB ANC87LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA027), Jan 27, 1987: Cessna 185D (N75LE), North Pole, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC85LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA095), Jun 14, 1985: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Kantishna, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC81DA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA006), Nov 26, 1980: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Fort Yukon, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87719. 590 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.