# NTSB FTW93LA133: Cessna T303, N9481T, Mena, AR, April 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.579177, -94.230262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5792&lon=-94.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA133

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

DURING TAXI OPERATIONS THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A PARKED AIRPLANE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE CAUSED THE LOSS OF CONTROL. NO BRAKE SYSTEM DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN EXAMINATION BY A CERTIFICATED INSPECTOR AIRFRAME (IA)

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 1993, at 1715 central daylight time (CDT) a Cessna T303, N9481T, was substantially damaged during taxi operations at Mena, Arkansas. The pilot (owner) was not injured. Weather for the planned flight was visual meteorological conditions.

During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and in a written statement the pilot reported that as he was taxiing out for departure the airplane veered right and he applied his brakes, however, he reported "only the right brake caught." He further stated that the right brake locked and the airplane spun right and struck an unoccupied airplane. A certified FAA inspector airframe (IA) inspected the braking system and reported that no anomaly existed in the braking system and that they were functioning correctly.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9481T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300022
- Airframe hours: 1451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-AE 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harrell Searcy W.
- Registered owner: Harrell Searcy W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 134 hours before
- Departed: M39
- Destination: CDH, CAMDEN, AR
- Airport: M39, Mena, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 798 total, 354 in this make and model, 647 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930416009739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930416009739A), Apr 16, 1993: Cessna T303, Mena, AR, Substantial damage. Lost control and veered into a parked aircraft while taxiing for takeoff. Blamed locked brake. No defects found.

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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