# NTSB ATL96LA059: Cessna 172K, N79058, Asheville, NC, March 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1996, 10:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Asheville, NC - Coordinates: 35.629951, -82.480316 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6300&lon=-82.4803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA059 ## Probable cause failure of the brake on the right main landing gear as a result of water (ice) in the brake fluid, which resulted in a loss of braking control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - to takeoff - hydraulic system - contamination,water (cause) - weather condition - temperature,low - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - brakes(normal) - not available, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff ## Analysis The pilot was taxiing for takeoff. Temperature at the airport was 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that as he was taxiing and was approaching the end of the taxiway, the right brake did not respond, when he attempted to stop. The aircraft went off the left side of the taxiway and down an embankment, then it encountered a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the brake revealed that there was water (ice) in the brake fluid, which prevented the brake from operating. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1996, about 1041 eastern standard time, a Cessna172K, N79058 was substantially damaged following a collision with a ditch and nose over at Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville, North Carolina. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The flight was taxiing for departure at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was taxiing on taxiway Alpha, when he attempted to stop by applying brakes, the airplane veered off to the left. The pilot stated he applied hard right braking, and nothing happened. The aircraft continued to roll towards a ditch. The pilot shut down the engine, but the aircraft went through the ditch, and onto a large dirt embankment where the nose wheel caught, and the airplane nosed over. The temperature at the time of the accident was 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the airplane right brake revealed that there was water in the brake fluid. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79058](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79058-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 17257850, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257850 - Airframe hours: 5182 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Truman L. Bynum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: AVL - Destination: BUY, BURLINGTON, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AVL, Asheville, runway 34, 8,001 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,332 total, 138 in this make and model, 2,332 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 33° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AVL ## 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 19960309003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960309003829A), Mar 9, 1996: Cessna 172K, Asheville, NC, Substantial damage. Taxiing for runway departure when it veered off, inverted, slid down an embankment. 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.