# NTSB NYC04LA048: Beech 35, N3116V, Laconia, NH, December 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 13, 2003, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Laconia, NH - Coordinates: 42.783332, -71.51667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7833&lon=-71.5167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58489/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after experiencing a brake failure. A factor related to the accident was the failure of the 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 - failure (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis According to the pilot, as the airplane touched down on the runway, he observed that the right brake was not functioning. The pilot attempted to move his leg over to the right seat rudder pedals in an effort to use the brakes on that side; however, during the process, he inadvertently pushed the throttle to the full forward position with his knee. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway, proceeded over a grass area, over an embankment, and came to rest nose low in a swamp. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the brake master cylinder had failed. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 2003, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Beech 35, N3116V, was substantially damaged while landing at the Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI), Laconia, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated from Boire Field (ASH), Nashua, New Hampshire. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, as the airplane touched down on runway 26, a 5,286-foot long, 100-foot wide, asphalt runway, he observed that the right brake was not functioning. The pilot attempted to move his leg over to the right seat rudder pedals in an effort to use the brakes on that side; however, during the process, he inadvertently pushed the throttle to the full forward position with his knee. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway, proceeded over a grass area, over an embankment, and came to rest nose low in a swamp. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage area of the airplane. The inspector noted that the brake master cylinder had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3116V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3116V-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N D-539, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 - Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-539 - Airframe hours: 1176 - Engines: Continental E-185-8 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jill R. Cuni - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 2003, 12 hours before - Departed: ASH, Nashua, NH - Destination: LCI, Laconia, NH - Airport: LCI, Laconia Municipal, runway 26, 5,286 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 373 total, 171 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 13 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point -4 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: LCI ## 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 20031213033019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031213033019A), Dec 13, 2003: Beech 35BEECH, Laconia, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Cuni was completing a VFR flight plan from ash to lci and landing on runway 26 (5,286 ft.). On landing the right brake pedal had no resistance. The… 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.