# NTSB LAX86LA351: Cessna 195, N3879V, Porterville, CA, September 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1986, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.959465, -118.919639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9595&lon=-118.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA351
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA351

## 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,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER A NORMAL LANDING THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO APPLY MODERATE BRAKE PRESSURE TO MAKE THE MID-FIELD TAXIWAY TURN OFF AND FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS 'A LIGHT JERK IN THE LEFT GEAR' FOLLOWED BY A 'SNAPPING SOUND WHICH OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES.' THE PILOT THEN SAID THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE 'AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED A GROUND LOOP.' EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT BRAKE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE DISC DRIVE KEY RETAINING SCREW FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE KEY TO FLOAT LOOSE IN THE BRAKE HOUSING. THE MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM STATED THAT THE LOOSE KEY 'BROKE OUT THE LOWER PART OF THE HOUSING ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINING TO FALL OUT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3879V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3879V-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 7347, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7347
- Airframe hours: 4910
- Engines: JACOBS R755A-2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grand Canyon Dories, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1986, 51 hours before
- Departed: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Airport: PTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 6,000 × 146 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,683 total, 3,559 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 36 nm away

## 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 19860915080139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860915080139A), Sep 15, 1986: Cessna 195, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. The left brake failed on landing causing a ground loop. The retaining key screw backed out.

## Other investigations on N3879V (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 LAX85FUG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FUG01), Oct 31, 1984: Cessna 195 (N3879V), Riverside, CA, substantial damage

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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