# NTSB ERA24FA266: Lockheed 12, N2072, Jackson, GA, June 17, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 17, 2024, 19:49 local (23:49 UTC) - Place: Jackson, GA · Tree line - Coordinates: 33.324896, -83.916533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3249&lon=-83.9165&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 3 serious - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194488 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24FA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194488/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194488 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA266 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the right brake line, which resulted in a loss of right brake effectiveness during the landing roll and a subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md?model=5261402), [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=5261402), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5261402), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=5261402), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=5261402), [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: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5261402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lockheed 12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5261402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, 10 days before the accident, the tailwheel-equipped airplane underwent maintenance on the right main landing gear strut, which required disconnection and subsequent reinstallation of the right brake line. Following the maintenance of the strut, the brake system was serviced and no anomalies or leaks were observed. The pilot reported that the preflight inspection, engine run-up, and flight were uneventful; however, during the landing roll, the right brake pedal became ineffective. The airplane then veered left, departed the runway, and subsequently impacted a tree. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right brake line fitting had loosened near a section of the landing gear assembly that flexed during gear movement. The brake line B-nut fitting was found finger-tight, and hydraulic fluid residue was observed on and around the B-nut fitting mount, consistent with hydraulic fluid leakage. Because the airplane required differential braking for directional control during ground operations, the ineffective right brake limited the pilot’s ability to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway excursion during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2024, at 1949 eastern daylight time, a Lockheed 12A airplane, N2072, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jackson, Georgia. The commercial pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, maintenance was performed 10 days before the accident, on June 7, 2024, to replace the right main landing gear strut seals. The maintenance required removal of the right landing gear strut assembly, and the associated brake line was disconnected and capped during the procedure. The pilot reported that, following reinstallation of the strut assembly, the brake lines were reconnected and tightened. On June 10, 2024, the right landing gear strut was serviced with nitrogen, and the brake system was checked with no anomalies or hydraulic leaks noted. The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, he conducted a preflight inspection and observed no discrepancies or hydraulic leaks. He completed an engine run-up and observed no anomalies. The pilot stated that he relied on differential braking for directional control during ground operations because the airplane was not equipped with a steerable tailwheel. Although the tailwheel was equipped with a locking mechanism, the pilot reported that he typically did not engage the lock in order to maintain maneuverability on narrow runways. The pilot reported that the local flight was uneventful. During the landing roll, after the tailwheel contacted the runway, he applied the brakes and noted that the right brake pedal was ineffective. The airplane subsequently veered left, and the pilot elected to shut down the engines as the airplane departed the narrow runway and impacted a tree. The pilot reported that the right engine briefly continued operating after impact until it was shut down. A witness video of the landing roll confirmed that the airplane began to veer left shortly after the tailwheel contacted the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a loose right brake line fitting near a section of the landing gear assembly that flexed during gear movement. Hydraulic fluid leakage was observed at the brake line fitting, and the brake line B-nut fitting was found finger-tight. Hydraulic fluid residue was also observed on and around the B-nut fitting mount. A digital video camera was recovered from the wreckage and its contents were successfully downloaded. The video files included portions of the accident flight, but not the landing or accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2072](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2072), registered now, S/N 1208, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOCKHEED 12 (A) - Registry model: [Lockheed 12A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-12a) (registry code 5261402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1208 - Year built: 1936 - Airframe hours: 11126 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN 14B 450 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whitney R-985AN-3- 14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 62GA, Seven Lakes Airport, runway 36, 2,930 × 130 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Video recording device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model - Pilot-rated passenger; age 63; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,300 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: K6A2, 19 nm away - METAR: K6A2 172355Z AUTO 13003KT 10SM CLR 30/16 A3008 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 20240617021899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240617021899A), Jun 17, 2024: Lockheed 12A, Jackson, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed on runway 36 at 62GA. During the landing rollout, the aircraft veered left off the grass runway and struck trees. ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194488. 17.6 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20364223&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Affidavit%20%20Declaration%20of%20Truth_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - interview of pilot/owner (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20365315&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FA266%20Hancock-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - passenger interview summary (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20426607&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20D%20Gryder%20FA266-Rel.pdf - Witness video (item 4, MOV, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20368620&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_5237-Rel.MOV - Maintenance logbook (excerpt) (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20365376&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook%20excerpts%20NC2072_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage examination summary (item 6, PDF, 8 pages, 906 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20431486&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Examination%20Summary%20FA266-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 7, PDF, 7 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20419487&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20FA266-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - digital video camera recovery and return (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20427341&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Camera%20FA266-Rel.pdf - Onboard image recorder - email report (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20423743&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24FA266%20(Jackson%20Georgia)%20GoPro%20Seven%20Black%20Action%20Camera%20-%20Email%20Report-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 10, PDF, 5 pages, 867 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20398779&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20return%20v2%20FA266_Redacted-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.