# NTSB LAX92LA363: North American NA-64, N3201U, Bakersfield, CA, August 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1992, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.540107, -118.909347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5401&lon=-118.9093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA363
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA363

## Probable cause

LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ONTO THE BRAKE LINING AND DRUM.

## 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 - leak (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING LANDING THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TURNING TO THE LEFT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE TURNING TENDENCY WITH RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE APPLICATION; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY GROUND LOOPED AND COLLAPSED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE BRAKES WERE EXAMINED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE BRAKE DRUM AND LINING. DISASSEMBLY OF THE LEFT BRAKE CYLINDER REVEALED DEEP CORROSION PITS ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE AIRPLANE, VEGETABLE BASE (AUTOMOTIVE) BRAKE FLUID IS USED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT UNLIKE MINERAL BASE BRAKE FLUID USED IN MODERN AIRCRAFT, 'VEGETABLE BASE FLUID WILL NOT TOLERATE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND WILL CAUSE A BRAKE LINING TO 'GRAB' THE DRUM DURING HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3201U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3201U), registered now, S/N 64-2202, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NA-64
- Registry model: [North American NA-64](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-na-64) (registry code 6400452) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 975 A B D&E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-975-a-b-d-e) (registry code 67012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 64-2202
- Engines: WRIGHT R-975-E3 440 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert Pemberton, doing business as Pemberton Aircraft Fuel Svc
- Registered owner: Pemberton Aircraft Fuel Svc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1992, 14 hours before
- Airport: BFL, Meadows Field, runway 30R, 10,857 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920823032829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920823032829A), Aug 23, 1992: Namer NA64, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Lost left brake on landing. Ground looped. Automotive brake fluid had corroded brake cylinder. Leaked fluid.

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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