# NTSB ATL00LA083: Douglas DC-3, N79MA, Key West, FL, August 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2000, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Key West, FL - Coordinates: 24.549701, -81.779289 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5497&lon=-81.7793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50075 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50075/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA083 ## Probable cause Failure of the right brake expander tube which limited the pilots control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after exiting the runway, he taxied normally to the U.S. Customs service ramp. Upon attempting to turn right at the Customs Ramp, no right brake function was available. The pilot said that due to the close proximity of other aircraft, differential power was not an option. The pilot stated that he cut the magnetos and tried to gently brake with the left brake. He said the left wing struck a parked Beech-18, damaging the upper engine nacelle and propeller. He said that the impact caused the airplane to continue to the left until the right propeller not rotating struck the left wing of the same Beech-18. Examination of the right brake found that the right expander tube had failed. As a result, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before colliding with a parked and unoccupied Beech 18. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2000, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Douglas DC-3, N79MA, collided with a parked Beech 18, N697Q, while taxiing to the parking ramp after landing at the Key West International Airport in Key West, Florida. The airplane was operated by Missionair, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The pilot and co-pilot were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight had originated from La Ceiba, Hondurus at 0830. According to the pilot, after exiting the runway, he taxied normally to the U.S. Customs service ramp. Upon attempting to turn right at the Customs Ramp, no right brake function was available. The pilot said that due to the close proximity of other aircraft, differential power was not an option. The pilot stated that he cut the magnetos and tried to gently brake with the left brake. He said the left wing struck a parked Beech-18, damaging the upper engine nacelle and propeller. He said that the impact caused the airplane to continue to the left until the right propeller not rotating struck the left wing of the same Beech-18. Examination of the right brake found that the right expander tube had failed. As a result, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before colliding with a parked and unoccupied Beech 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: N79MA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Douglas DC-3 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4089 - Airframe hours: 17714 - Engines: Wright R-1820-56 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Missionair Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 6, 2000, 25 hours before - Departed: MHLC, HONDURUS, OF - Destination: EYW - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EYW, Key West International, runway 9, 4,800 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,600 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EYW ## 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 20000821011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000821011009A), Aug 21, 2000: Doug DC3, Key West, FL, No damage. (-23) DC-3 was taxiing to parking ramp after an international flight, while in parking area, the right expander tube brake failed, and the pilot was unable to… 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.