# NTSB ERA23LA134: Cessna 182S, N397ME, Labelle, FL, February 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 28, 2023, 11:11 local (16:11 UTC) - Place: Labelle, FL · Drainage ditch off the right side of runway 32 - Coordinates: 26.740583, -81.428278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7406&lon=-81.4283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106814 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106814/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106814 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA134 ## Probable cause A malfunction of the airplane’s right main wheel brake, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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 182S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a checkout flight with a flight instructor to meet flying club currency rules, the pilot flew to a nearby airport. Upon arrival at the airport they practiced landings. Immediately after the fifth landing, during the roll out, the airplane turned abruptly to the right, exited the runway onto the grass area between the runway and taxiway, and impacted a drainage ditch. The airplane’s fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s wheels and braking system revealed that the right main wheel would not rotate on its axle. When pressure was applied to the top of the pilot’s side right rudder pedal, the actuator rod for the master cylinder would stick in the retracted position and would not automatically extend when the rudder pedal was released. Additionally, a gurgling sound (which indicated that air was in the system) could be heard during actuation. Further examination of the brake system revealed that the right brake assembly was not functional, displayed evidence of overheating, and was leaking fluid from around the upper piston, which was stuck in the extended position. The lower piston was also partially extended and was covered with brake fluid. The pressure plate would not move, and the anchor bolts that the pressure plate slid on displayed evidence of corrosion. Additionally, both piston O-rings appeared flat and did not stand proud from the sides of the pistons, the brake linings displayed higher than normal wear, and the brake disc displayed grooving. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s right brake malfunctioned during the landing, which resulted in the loss of directional control during landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N397ME](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N397ME), registered now, S/N 18280876, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182S - Registry model: [Cessna 182S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182s) (registry code 2072701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18280876 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 4377.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cub Club Inc, doing business as Fort Myers Flying Club - Registered owner: Cub Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 5, 2023 - Departed: FMY, Fort Myers, FL - Destination: X14, LaBelle, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: X14, La Belle Municipal Airport, runway 32, 5,254 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review November 2, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 633 total, 377 in this make and model, 593 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 81; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,625 total, 88 in this make and model, 3,492 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KIMM, 18 nm away - METAR: METAR KIMM 281615Z AUTO 27012KT 9SM CLR 32/22 A3005 RMK AO2= ## 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 20230228001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230228001899A), Feb 28, 2023: Cessna 182S, Labelle, FL, Substantial damage. Part 91, Cessna 182S [privacy data omitted] was landing on runway 32 at X14(Labelle airport) and upon roll out, the aircraft abruptly turned to the right and… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106814. 13.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388334&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements and interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388468&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from Cessna 182S POH - brake system (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388080&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Cessna%20182S%20POH%20-%20Brake%20System-Rel.pdf - KX14 - airport diagram (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388825&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=KX14%20-%20Airport%20Diagram-Rel.pdf - N397ME - takeoffs and landings at KX14 (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15387543&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N397ME%20-%20Takeoffs%20and%20Landings%20at%20KX14_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 20 pages, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388554&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - wreckage examination (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15388194&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Wreckage%20Examination-Rel.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.