# NTSB FTW03CA180: Schweizer G-164B, N7501H, Vega, TX, June 28, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 28, 2003, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Vega, TX
- Coordinates: 35.231945, -102.398887
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2319&lon=-102.3989&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03CA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03CA180

## Probable cause

The failure of the left brake for undetermined reasons.

## 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 - failure (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

During the landing roll to the asphalt runway, the airplane's left brake failed.  Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.  During the accident sequence, the left main landing gear and brake line separated.  The reason for the left brake failure was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On June 28, 2003, approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B single-engine agricultural airplane, N7501H, was substantially damaged when it impacted the terrain and nosed over after exiting the side of the runway during the landing roll at the Oldham County Airport, near Vega, Texas.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Caprock Spraying, Inc., of Vega, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.  The local flight departed the Oldham County Airport approximately 1700.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that during the landing roll on the 4,200-foot asphalt runway, the airplane's left brake failed.  Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position.

The FAA Inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported the left wing sustained structural and the engine firewall was buckled.  During the accident sequence, the left main landing gear and brake line separated.  The reason for the left brake failure was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7501H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7501H-2007-12-07), registration cancelled 2007-12-07, S/N 801B, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 801B
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney P & W 1340 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Caprock Spraying, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: E52, Vega, TX
- Airport: E52, Oldham County, runway 35

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 27,000 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Other investigations on N7501H (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 IAD04LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA044), Sep 5, 2004: Schweizer G-164B (N7501H), Penn Yan, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's loss of directional control during landing which resulted in excessive side-loads and failure of the right main landing gear wheel.

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.

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