# NTSB GAA15CA242: Cessna 305A, N5255G, Midlothian, TX, August 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2015, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.458889, -96.912498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4589&lon=-96.9125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA242 ## Probable cause The failure of the brake line tubing for the right main landing gear brake, due to a non-standard method used to secure the brake line, which resulted in a loss of control during landing, and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/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 305A, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/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: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a simulated rope break maneuver while towing a glider, he maneuvered to the runway and landed "normal". The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane "yawed" to the left; he applied right rudder inputs to correct the yaw, but it was ineffective. The pilot reported that he "quickly applied right brake", but "felt no brake pressure in the pedal". He "pressed the brake pedal 4-5 times as the aircraft continued to yaw", subsequently the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that when he applied the right brake he "heard the pedal click against something behind it, creating a metallic sound." A post-accident examination of the right brake system components revealed, that the brake disc was within limits, and brake pads were within limits. The aluminum hydraulic brake line tube which is lead along the aft edge of the gear leg from the brake caliper toward the master cylinder was broken about halfway down the gear leg, under the retaining bracket. The retaining bracket was canted and the brake line and rubber padding had been secured with a zip tie. There were no signs of impact damage at the break. In a statement from the airplane's type certificate holder to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated October 14, the holder reported that at the point where the zip tie had been installed, the brake line was supposed to be held in place by a green bracket, with the small section of rubber tube protecting the line from direct contact with the other metal parts. The green bracket should be positioned perpendicular to the aft contour line of the gear leg. It is likely that the canted bracket and zip tie created a pinch point on the flexing gear leg and resulted in the failure of the brake line. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a simulated rope break maneuver while towing a glider, he maneuvered to the runway and landed "normal". The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane "yawed" to the left; he applied right rudder inputs to correct the yaw, but it was ineffective. The pilot reported that he "quickly applied right brake", but "felt no brake pressure in the pedal". He "pressed the brake pedal 4-5 times as the aircraft continued to yaw", subsequently the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that when he applied the right brake he "heard the pedal click against something behind it, creating a metallic sound." A post-accident examination of the right brake system components revealed, that the brake disc was within limits, and brake pads were within limits. The aluminum hydraulic brake line tube which is lead along the aft edge of the gear leg from the brake caliper toward the master cylinder was broken about halfway down the gear leg, under the retaining bracket. The retaining bracket was canted and the brake line and rubber padding had been secured with a zip tie. There were no signs of impact damage at the break. In a statement from the airplane's type certificate holder to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated October 14, the holder reported that at the point where the zip tie had been installed, the brake line was supposed to be held in place by a green bracket, with the small section of rubber tube protecting the line from direct contact with the other metal parts. The green bracket should be positioned perpendicular to the aft contour line of the gear leg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5255G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5255G), registered now, S/N 22655, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22655 - Year built: 1951 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Setian Peter - Registered owner: Setian Peter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: JWY, MIDLOTHIAN, TX - Destination: JWY, MIDLOTHIAN, TX - Airport: JWY, Mid-Way Rgnl, runway 36, 6,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 17, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 130 in this make and model, 1,415 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KJWY ## 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 20150829014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150829014099A), Aug 29, 2015: Cessna 305A, Midlothian, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot elected to land downwind with a quartering tailwind on hard surface grassy runway. Pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the roll out.… ## Other investigations on N5255G (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 IAD73DID19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD73DID19), Mar 23, 1973: Cessna 305A (N5255G), Forest, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91890. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Email from Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Airframe%20and%20Powerplant%20Mechanic%20-Master.PDF - Email from Type Certificate Holder representative (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Type%20Certificate%20Holder%20representative-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 882 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433281&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.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.