# NTSB CHI95LA240: Cessna 550, N72WC, Minneapolis, MN, July 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1995, 13:49 local (18:49 UTC) - Place: Minneapolis, MN - Coordinates: 45.00949, -93.380645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0095&lon=-93.3806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA240 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined (cause) - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 550 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: S550-0037 - Airframe hours: 4874 - Engines: P&W JT15D-4B 2500 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. - Pilot; age 33; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950726019679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950726019679A), Jul 26, 1995: Cessna S550, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Lost brakes landing. Failed to use emergency braking. Lost control. Veered off runway down embankment. (-23) the aircraft was landing on a 3909' runway. The… 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.