# NTSB ERA11LA011: Grumman G164, N48417, Edison, GA, October 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Edison, GA - Coordinates: 31.559999, -84.75 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5600&lon=-84.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77519/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77519 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA011 ## Probable cause Leakage of hydraulic fluid from the internal fuselage line fitting, resulting in a subsequent loss of the right brake’s effectiveness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: hydraulic fluid](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a routine agricultural application flight, the pilot noted that the right rudder pedal felt soft. He returned to the airport at the conclusion of the flight and, just after touchdown, applied pressure to both brake pedals to stop the airplane; while the left brake operated normally, the right brake was ineffective. The airplane subsequently departed the runway and was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination revealed evidence of brake fluid leakage at the internal fuselage hydraulic line fitting. No reliable determination of the brake fluid quantity prior to the accident could be made as the right brake system had been compromised during the accident, but testing of the system with replacement fluid lines showed normal operation. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 1, 2010, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N48417, was substantially damaged following a runway excursion during landing at a private airfield in Edison, Georgia. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The pilot departed the private, turf runway on a routine application flight. He stated that during the flight, as he applied rudder pedal during turns, he felt that the right pedal was "soft," but stated that the left rudder pedal felt normal. He returned to the airport at the conclusion of the flight and just after touchdown, applied pressure to both brake pedals to stop the airplane. The pilot stated that the right pedal depressed to the floor and was ineffective, but the left pedal and left brake operated normally. The pilot applied reverse engine thrust, but the airplane continued left and departed the runway, where it came to rest upright. The airplane was examined at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The right main landing gear separated from the airplane, and both left and right upper and lower wings sustained substantial damage. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi engine land, instrument airplane, and rotorcraft helicopter. He reported 7,700 total hours of flight experience, approximately 4,000 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. His most recent flight review was completed in June, 2009. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in March 2010 with no limitations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1976 and was powered by a Walter M601E-11 turbine engine, which was equipped with a three-bladed, Hamilton Standard propeller. The pilot stated that approximately one year prior to the accident, the airplane experienced a right brake failure during landing, but he was able to maintain control and the airplane sustained no damage. Subsequent inspection of the right brake master cylinder revealed a worn o-ring, which was replaced. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on April 9, 2010, at which time the airplane had accumulated a total of 12,500 hours. The airplane's maintenance logs revealed that both left and right landing gear brake pads and all wheel bearings were replaced as part of the inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1639 weather observation at BIJ, located approximately 13 nautical miles southwest of the accident location, included winds from 320 degrees at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a scattered cloud layer at 7,500 feet, temperature 28 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.79 inches of mercury. ADDITIONALINFORMATION The airplane was recovered from the accident scene, and the right brake system was examined in detail by an FAA inspector. The inspector found evidence of brake fluid leakage at the internal fuselage hydraulic line fitting, but no evidence of leakage was observed at any other point in the system. The right brake line was separated during the accident sequence, and no fluid remained in the upper portion of the system or in the right brake caliper. As such, no reliable measure of the brake fluid quantity could be made as the right brake system had been compromised during the accident. A test line was fabricated, and the system was pressure-tested. Application of pressure at the brake master cylinder produced movement of the caliper, with a corresponding retraction of the caliper when pressure was removed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48417](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48417-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 26B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164 (B) - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26B - Airframe hours: 12500 - Engines: Walter M601E-11 740 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Owen Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Owen Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2010 - Departed: NA, Edison, GA - Destination: NA, Edison, GA - Airport: None, Private, runway 18, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 7,700 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: BIJ, 13 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 20101001051719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001051719A), Oct 1, 2010: Grumman Acf G-164B, Edison, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that on 10-01-2010, while landing to the south at his privately owned strip in Edison, GA., his right brake failed causing him to lose control… ## Other investigations on N48417 (2) 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 CHI02LA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA277), Sep 6, 2002: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N48417), Martin, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight and his inability to abort the takeoff due to the obscured windshield. Contributing to the accident was the bent hopper latch and the pilot's failure to… - [NTSB CHI88DEM10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM10), Aug 18, 1988: Grumman G-164B (N48417), Schoolcraft, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED A CORN CROP AND THE AIRCRAFT… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77519. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 463 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpt-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 4, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane From Left (Courtesy FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20From%20Left%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Brake Line Fitting (Courtesy FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Brake%20Line%20Fitting%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.