# NTSB BFO95LA095: Snow S2A, N4977C, Pasadena, MD, September 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 1995, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Pasadena, MD - Coordinates: 39.11042, -76.549781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1104&lon=-76.5498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9082 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9082/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA095 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the failure of the right brake during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - object - aircraft parked/standing - object - vehicle ## Analysis A banner tow airplane veered off the left side of the runway during the landing roll, and collided with an automobile and a parked airplane. The pilot reported that the aircraft has a lockable non-steering tailwheel, which was locked for the landing. He stated that when he applied both brakes to stop the airplane, it began to veer to the left. He attempted to correct by applying more right brake, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the right brake had failed. Records indicated that the airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the most recent Annual Inspection, completed 13 days prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 1995, at about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Snow S2A, N4977C, veered off the left side of the runway while landing at Mountain Road Airport, Pasadena, Maryland. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a banner tow flight under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that during the landing roll as he applied the brake, the airplane veered 30 degrees to the left. He stated that he attempted to correct by applying full right brake, but he was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and exited the runway where it collided with a tree, an automobile and a parked airplane. The FAA Inspector reported that he examined the airplane after the accident and he observed that the right brake had failed. Further examination of the right brake did not disclose the cause of the failure. The pilot reported that the most recent inspection of the airplane was an Annual Inspection, dated September 2, 1995. The airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the Annual Inspection. According to the pilot this aircraft is equipped with a lockable non-steering tailwheel. At the time of the accident the tailwheel was locked. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4977C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4977C-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 1020, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SNOW S2A - Registry model: [Snow S2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/snow-s2a) (registry code 8380202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1020 - Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian Lee Corcoran - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: MD43 - Airport: MD43, Mountain Road, runway 8, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,170 total, 60 in this make and model, 2,120 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 20 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 19950915029869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950915029869A), Sep 15, 1995: Ayres S2A, Lakeshore, MD, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing. Hit parked auto and airplane. Right brake had failed. Recent annual 13HRS prior. 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.