# NTSB LAX93LA098: Grumman G-164A, N6654, Lost Hills, CA, January 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1993, 16:00 local (Jan 22, 1993, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Lost Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609313, -119.900573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6093&lon=-119.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT DUE TO A BINDING LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

## 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 - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE APPLIED SOME LEFT BRAKE PEDAL TO AID IN MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PRESSURE THE LEFT BRAKE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED WITH THAT BRAKE STILL ACTIVATED. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SOME DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY USING RIGHT BRAKE PRESSURE AND RUDDER; HOWEVER, AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED, THE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS BECAME LESS AND LESS EFFECTIVE AND THE AIRCRAFT EVENTUALLY RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD BIND WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6654](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6654-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 777, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 777
- Airframe hours: 4423
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: San Joaquin Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 11, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: 73L
- Destination: 73L
- Airport: 73L, Blackwell Land Company, runway 28, 4,200 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 730 total, 186 in this make and model, 647 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F

## 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 19930121000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930121000919A), Jan 21, 1993: Scwzer G164A, Lost Hills, CA, Substantial damage. Left brake locked on landing. Exited grass strip and ground looped.

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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