# NTSB FTW83LA173: Anderson, Greenwood 51, N51AG, Tomball, TX, March 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1983, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089311, -95.609657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0893&lon=-95.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA173

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - hydraulic system,seal - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - leak (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - directional control - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAXIING FROM THE RAMP & ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO A TAXIWAY. THE NOSE GEAR STEERING WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAKE THE TURN, SO HE APPLIED LEFT BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE LEFT BRAKE DID NOT OPERATE SINCE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS VOID OF BRAKE FLUID. THE ACFT WENT OFF THE TAXIWAY ONTO SOFT TERRAIN. THE PLT THEN APPLIED POWER TO GET BACK ONTO THE TAXIWAY, BUT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DROPPED INTO A HOLE & COLLAPSED. THE MASTER CYLINDER O-RING WAS FOUND TO HAVE DETERIORATED WHICH ALLOWED ALL OF THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51AG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ANDERSON, GREENWOOD 51
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0001
- Airframe hours: 1520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A4DS 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anderson, Greenwood And Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: DWH, Hooks

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,435 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,390 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19830331010499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331010499A), Mar 31, 1983: Blanca 51ARIES, Tomball, TX, Substantial damage. Tried to make sharp turn on taxiway but brake failed. Ran off into soft ground. Main gear hit a hole and collapsed.

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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