# NTSB SEA95LA226: Cessna 340, N10DF, Riverton, WY, September 25, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1995, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Riverton, WY - Coordinates: 43.030105, -108.409782 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0301&lon=-108.4098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42257 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42257/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA226 ## Probable cause a partial loss of hydraulic fluid in the left brake system rendering the left brake inoperative. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - to takeoff - hydraulic system - leak (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - loss,partial (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while turning the airplane with power onto the runway for takeoff the left brake failed. The nose gear impacted a ditch, located in close proximity to the runway, and collapsed. Examination revealed that hydraulic brake fluid had leaked out of the left brake system. The source of the leakage was not found. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1995, about 0830 mountain daylight time, N10DF, a Cessna 340, operated by American Check Transport, Inc., collided with a ditch during taxi and was substantially damaged in Riverton, Wyoming. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan had been filed. The cargo flight was destined for Worland, Wyoming, and was conducted under 14 CFR 135. The pilot reported that the left brake "failed" as the airplane was taxiing for takeoff from runway 28 at the Riverton Regional Airport. The pilot stated: About 30 - 50 yards from end of taxiway I discovered the left brake was [inoperative]. I attempted to make the 90 [degree] left turn to the runway but was unable and went off the taxiway about 10 - 12 feet where there was a ditch. The nose wheel [collapsed] when it hit the ditch [and] the nose of the aircraft was damaged.... The pilot also stated that he attempted to turn the airplane with power onto the runway when the failure occurred. An FAA aviation safety inspector from Casper, Wyoming, examined the airplane. He reported that the underside of the fuselage structure was substantially damaged. He also reported that hydraulic brake fluid had "leaked out" of the left brake system prior to impact with the ditch, and there was not enough fluid left to operate the brake. The inspector was unable to determine the source or cause of the leak. ## Aircraft - Registration: N10DF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 340 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3400197 - Airframe hours: 4187 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: American Check Transport, Inc., doing business as Flight Line, Inc. - Registered owner: James Town Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 23, 1995, 5 hours before - Destination: WRL, WORLAND, WY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: RIW, Riverton Regional, runway 28, 8,202 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RIW ## 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 19950925047919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950925047919A), Sep 25, 1995: Cessna 340CESSNA, Riverton, WY, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while turning the airplane with power onto the runway for takeoff the left brake failed. The nose gear impacted a ditch, located in… 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.