# NTSB ERA17LA290: Cessna 180, N1585C, Newport, NH, August 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2017, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Newport, NH - Coordinates: 43.383335, -72.184997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3833&lon=-72.1850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95880/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95880 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA290 ## Probable cause A leak in the right brake slave cylinder, which led to no fluid in the reservoir and subsequent asymmetric braking. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: master cylinder/brake valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023243/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Fluids](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071000): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071000/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Other: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was initiating a personal flight and noted no discrepancies with the brakes during the preflight inspection, the engine run-up, or the initial portion of taxiing aside from the left brake pedal not lining up exactly with the right brake pedal, which had been that way for a while. When the pilot attempted to slow the airplane during the taxi, the right brake pedal travelled to the floor, which resulted in asymmetric braking. In an effort to avoid trees, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane and added power, which exacerbated the turn and resulted in the right wing impacting the ground. Postaccident examination of the right brake revealed no fluid in the reservoir and a leak at the slave cylinder, which likely resulted in the asymmetric braking and ground loop. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2017, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, N1585C, was substantially damaged while taxiing for takeoff at Parlin Field Airport (2B3), Newport, New Hampshire. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was originating at the time of the accident, and was destined for Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), Rutland, Vermont.The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included an inspection of the wheel assemblies and noted no fluid was on the ground. After engine start, he performed an engine run-up, and reported no issues with the brakes. He then back-taxied to the approach end of runway 36. While taxiing, he noted the left brake pedal did not line-up exactly with the right brake pedal; however, he noted that the difference in brake pedal position had been that way for a while. He continued to taxi, steering with the tailwheel. When near the approach end of the runway while starting to slow; the left brake was normal, but the right brake pedal traveled completely to the floor. In an effort to avoid trees off the side of the runway, he intentionally ground-looped the airplane. He believed the airplane ground-looped twice, and on the second turn, he added power to get some rudder authority which only exacerbated the turn. The right wing impacted the ground, and was substantially damaged, before the airplane came to rest. Examination of the right brake system following recovery of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed that during brake pedal application, the right brake pedal went to the floor. Examination of the right brake master cylinder revealed no fluid. Visual examination of the cockpit area of the right brake pedal revealed no evidence of leaking fluid. The right brake was bled of air and the reservoir was filled with fluid. Visual examination of the right brake over the course of 1 week revealed fluid leaking at the slave cylinder. No determination was made as to the reason for the leaking slave cylinder. The airplane's last annual inspection was signed off as being completed on June 12, 2017. The airplane had accrued about 13 hours, and there had been no brake work done since the annual was completed. The pilot also indicated that there were no issues with the brakes on the flight into 2B3. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1585C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1585C), registered now, S/N 30285, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 30285 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5016.1 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-J 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2017, 13 hours before - Departed: 2B3, Newport, NH - Destination: RUT, Rutland, VT - Airport: 2B3, Parin Field Airport, runway 18, 3,448 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 38,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: VSF, 15 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 20170820013499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170820013499A), Aug 20, 2017: Cessna 180, Newport, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot of a Cessna 180 had right brake control issues while taxiing, which resulted in the pilot ground looping the aicraft. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95880. 770 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 503 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Statement from Mechanic (item 3, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.