# NTSB LAX08LA217: Lancair LC41-550FG, N2544W, Hailey, ID, July 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 2008, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Hailey, ID - Coordinates: 43.503887, -114.295555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5039&lon=-114.2956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68384/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA217 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control while taxiing due to the failure of the right brake. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear steering system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5150001), [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. - [Taxi-to runway: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was designed to use differential braking for directional control while taxiing. The pilot reported that while taxiing for departure, the right brake failed. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the taxiway, impacted a pole and went down an embankment, striking an airport perimeter fence. The left composite wing tip was split open and the wing's leading edge had an 8- to 10-inch chordwise rip in it. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the right brake O-ring in the piston that operates the caliper was hard and flat. When brake fluid was put in the system and the brakes were pumped, the brake fluid was observed to pass directly through the right-hand caliper onto the ground. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2008, approximately 1215 mountain daylight time, a Lancair Company LC41-550FG (Columbia 400), N2544W, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a pole and fence while taxiing out for takeoff at Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Hailey, Idaho. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that when taxiing this airplane, differential braking is used for directional control, and that while taxiing for departure, the right brake failed. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the taxiway, impacted a pole and went down an embankment, striking an airport perimeter fence. The left composite wing tip was split open and the wing's leading edge had an 8- to 10-inch chordwise rip in it. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the right brake O-ring in the piston that operates the caliper to be hard and flat. When brake fluid was put in the system and the brakes were pumped, the brake fluid was observed to pass directly through the right-hand caliper onto the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2544W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2544W), registered now, S/N 41530, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LANCAIR COMPANY LC41-550FG - Registry model: [Lancair LC41-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/lancair-lc41-550fg) (registry code 5150001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-series) (registry code 17043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 41530 - Airframe hours: 46 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-550 SER 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mccormick Enterprises Inc - Registered owner: Mccormick Enterprises Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2008 - Departed: SUN, Hailey, ID - Destination: BOI, Boise, ID - Airport: SUN, Friedman Memorial Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,749 total, 49 in this make and model, 2,610 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUN ## 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 20080706840019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080706840019A), Jul 6, 2008: Lancar LC41550FG, Hailey, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated while taxiing north on taxiway bravo for a runway 13 departure, the aircraft began to drift to the left. The pilot stated he attempted… 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.