# NTSB LAX91LA087: Waco UIC, N13408, Santa Paula, CA, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399833, -119.069267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3998&lon=-119.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA087

## Probable cause

THE BRITTLE FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TREAD END CAUSING LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - brittle fracture (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT, OFF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE AIRPORT'S TETRAHEDRON, WHICH WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE FOUND THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BROKEN AND LODGED BETWEEN THE RUDDER PEDAL AND THE FLOOR. THIS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM MAINTAINING THE AIRCRAFT'S POSITION ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13408](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13408), registered now, S/N 3767, built 1933 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UIC
- Registry model: [Waco UIC](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-uic) (registry code 9600510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3767
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard H. Nunaly
- Registered owner: Leonard H. Nunaly
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: WHP, WHITEMAN, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,446 total, 14 in this make and model, 5,298 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910203001339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001339A), Feb 3, 1991: Waco U1C, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Left brake master cylinder broke off on landing and jammed rudder causing loss of control. Struck wind tee.

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.