ATL93LA144

While taxiing for takeoff, the flight instructor took control of the airplane when the student pilot reported that the brakes had gone out. The flight instructor attempted to regain control of the airplane before it skidded off the runup pad and flipped inverted. Examination of the brake system after the airplane was recovered, failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction.

On August 18, 1993, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4921H, ran off a runup pad and down an embankment at Hardwick Field, Cleveland, Tennessee. The instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was taxiing for takeoff when the accident occurred.

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was taxiing the airplane when he reported a loss of brake pressure. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and confirmed that brake pressure was lost. The airplane continued rolling and came to rest inverted at the bottom the embankment. Subsequent recovery and examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the braking system. The brakes were functionally checked once the airplane was recovered to the taxiway. There were no other reports of braking problems before this accident.