CHI95LA240

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 550 · Minneapolis, MN · July 26, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
July 26, 1995, 13:49 local (18:49 UTC)
Place
Minneapolis, MN
Injuries
3 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N72WCCessna 550
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 29, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950726019679A
Case key
9961

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

failure of the landing gear braking system for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to perform the emergency procedure of operating the emergency brake system. Rough/uneven terrain was a related factor.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

OverrunLanding - roll
Landing gear,normal brake system - undeterminedCause
Emergency procedure - not performedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - rough/unevenFactor

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he deployed the thrust reversers and applied the brakes to stop the airplane, but the brakes had no effect. The mechanic, who was seated in the right seat, depress the brakes on the right side, but they also did not operate. The pilot stated that the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest approximately 800 feet 'off the end' of the runway. After departing the runway, the airplane encountered uneven terrain and was damaged. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the brake system, anti-lock system, or the thrust reversers. The transducers and control valves were removed and tested. All tests were satisfactory and met manufacturer limits. After the accident, the pilot stated that he did not operate the emergency brake, as recommended/required by the emergency procedure.

Factual narrative

On July 26, 1995, at 1349 central daylight time, a Cessna Citation 550, N72WC, operated by Pioneer Private Aviation Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, sustained substantial damage while landing at Flying Cloud Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airplane was conducting a mechanical test flight to verify the operation of the air conditioning system when the accident occurred. The pilot and two mechanics reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

After completing a maintenance test flight, the pilot reported that they returned to Flying Cloud Airport for landing. The pilot allowed the mechanic, who was seated in the right seat and is a commercially certificated pilot, land the airplane. During the final approach, the pilot stated that the mechanic allowed the airplane to float too far down the runway. The pilot stated he called for a go around and then took control of the airplane for the second landing attempt. The pilot stated the second attempt was a normal landing. During the landing roll, the pilot stated he deployed the thrust reversers and stepped on the brakes but the brakes had no effect. The mechanic tried to depress his brakes, but there was also no braking action. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest approximately 800 feet from the end of the runway.

Postaccident examination found the brakes intact and in place. No hydraulic fluid was seen leaking. No abnormalities were found with the brake releases, anti-lock system, or the thrust reversers. The transducer and control valve were removed and tested. All tests were satisfactory and met manufacturer limits.

The Pilot Operating Handbook for the Cessna Citation 550 states in Section III Normal Procedures, "If, during landing, a hard brake pedal - no breaking condition is encountered, operate the emergency brake system." The pilot had stated to the FAA that he did not use the emergency brake system.

Aircraft

Registration
N72WC
Reported as
Cessna 550
Category
Airplane
Serial number
S550-0037
Airframe hours
4,874
Engine
P&W JT15D-4B, 2,500 lbs thrust, turbo jet
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 91
Registered owner
Pioneer Private Aviation, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Last inspection
Continuous airworthiness · July 1, 1995 · 44 hours before
Departed
FCM
Airport
FCM · Flying Cloud Airport, runway 27L, 3,909 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
33
Certificates
Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
4,890 total · 2,820 in this make and model · 4,360 as pilot in command · 95 in the last 90 days · 44 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 3 knots
Visibility
15 statute miles
Temperature
81 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
FCM

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.