# NTSB DFW06CA178: Cessna 180, N9260C, Downsville, TX, July 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2006, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Downsville, TX - Coordinates: 31.453887, -97.065551 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4539&lon=-97.0656&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 64073 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64073/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA178 ## Probable cause The malfunction in the braking system which caused the parking brake to engage and lock the right main wheel resulting in a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - malfunction (cause) - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - locked (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 2,800-hour private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane while landing to the northwest on the 1,900-foot long private grass airstrip. The pilot reported that upon landing, the right main landing gear brake locked and would not release. The airplane then turned to the right and the left landing gear collapsed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, examined the airplane and found the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly was intact and the brake pads were "in a released state, and not binding to the brake disk." During maintenance repairs to the airplane, an airframe and powerplant mechanic discovered that when he pushed on the main toe-brake, the parking brake mechanism would lock the right main landing gear brake. He reported that this was a common problem for this make/model airplane. The pilot reported that at the time of the mishap, the winds were from 130 degrees at 10 knots. The winds at the nearest weather reporting facility, located 5 miles north of the accident site were reporting the wind from 040 degrees at 8 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The 2,800-hour private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane while landing to the northwest on 1,900-foot long private grass airstrip. The pilot reported that upon landing, the right main landing gear brake locked and would not release. The airplane then turned to the right and the left landing gear collapsed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, examined the airplane and found the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly was intact and the brake pads were "in a released state, and not binding to the brake disk." During maintenance repairs to the airplane, an airframe and powerplant mechanic discovered that when he pushed on the main toe-brake, the parking brake mechanism would lock the right main landing gear brake. He reported that this was a common problem for this make/model airplane. The pilot reported that at the time of the mishap, the winds were from 130 degrees at 10 knots. The winds at the nearest weather reporting facility, located 5 miles north of the accident site were reporting the wind from 040 degrees at 8 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9260C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9260C), registered now, S/N 31359, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31359 - Airframe hours: 4001.4 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sam A. Corpora - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: Downsville, TX - Destination: Downsville, TX - Airport: N/A, Private, runway UNK, 1,900 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 770 in this make and model, 2,720 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: ACT, 5 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 20060707014309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060707014309A), Jul 7, 2006: Cessna 180, Downsville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 7, 2006 at approximately 1730 local time, pilot in command [privacy data omitted] , while landing northwest on a grass strip in Downsville,… ## Other investigations on N9260C (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK67D0101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0101), Sep 16, 1966: Cessna 180 (N9260C), Canby, CA, substantial damage 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.