# NTSB MIA08CA074: Cessna 525B, N400GG, Stuart, FL, March 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2008, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Coordinates: 27.175556, -80.219169
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1756&lon=-80.2192&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 March 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Fort Lauderdale FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA074

## Probable cause

The flight crew's failure to reset the brakes circuit breaker resulting in a loss of brakes during taxi and an on ground collision with an unoccupied parked airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/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: [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: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the flight crew, on March 6, 2008, the first officer had updated the Jepson Database and in the process had pulled the brake circuit breaker to keep the brake hydraulic motor from continuously cycling. This circuit breaker was missed when the airplane was restored to normal operating condition. On March 8, 2008, the first officer was performing the co-pilot duties. Clearance was received and the pilot in command began taxiing. The first officer started to program the flight management system. There was a strong gusty wind from the left. They had to make a 90-degee right turn to join the taxiway. The pilot in command made some comment about the brakes. The first officer looked up and they were headed toward an unoccupied parked airplane on the opposite side of the taxiway. At that time they struck the parked airplane. According to both crew members with the direction of the wind, nose steering alone was not enough to turn the airplane onto the taxiway. Brakes were needed but there were no brakes, and emergency brakes were not used.

## Factual narrative

According to the flight crew, on March 6, 2008, the first officer had updated the Jepson Database and in the process had pulled the brake circuit breaker to keep the brake hydraulic motor from continuously cycling. This circuit breaker was missed when the airplane was restored to normal operating condition.

On March 8, 2008, the first officer was performing the co-pilot duties. Clearance was received and the pilot in command began taxiing. The first officer started to program the flight management system. There was a strong gusty wind from the left. They had to make a 90-degee right turn to join the taxiway. The pilot in command made some comment about the brakes. The first officer looked up and they were headed toward a parked unoccupied airplane on the opposite side of the taxiway. At that time they struck the parked airplane. According to both crew members with the direction of the wind, nose steering alone was not enough to turn the airplane onto the taxiway. Brakes were needed but there were no brakes, and emergency brakes were not used.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N400GG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 525B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0195
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: Williams International FJ44-3A 2780 lbs thrust turbo fan; Williams International FJ44-3A 2780 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: TGC Aircraft Investments, LLC
- Registered owner: 525b-0195 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SUA, Stuart, FL
- Destination: DNL, Augusta, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUA, Witham Field, runway 30, 5,826 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 15,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 19 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: KSUA

## 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 20080308836489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080308836489A), Mar 8, 2008: Stuart, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) N400GG began taxi on non-movement area, galaxy ramp. Aircraft was cleared to runway 30 and as aircraft was making a right 90 degree turn, a gust of wind…

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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