# NTSB WPR11CA165: Bellanca 14-13-2, N74291, Mesquite, NV, March 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2011, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Mesquite, NV - Coordinates: 36.828056, -114.059448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8281&lon=-114.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78552/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78552 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA165 ## Probable cause The malfunction of the brake system which led to the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Bellanca 14-13-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=1201004), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-13-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1201004), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-13-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1201004), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-13-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=1201004), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-13-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1201004), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown in several months, and during the preflight inspection, he found that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. He filled the reservoir and noted that the braking performance was good during taxi for takeoff. At the destination airport, the pilot chose to perform a practice short field landing. He immediately applied the brakes after touchdown but there was no braking action. He then vigorously pumped the brakes in an attempt to still make a short field landing. The right brake suddenly functioned, but the left brake remained inoperative. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the right as there was insufficient rudder effectiveness to straighten the airplane's tracking. The left wing impacted an airport perimeter fence damaging the wing and the lift strut. Additionally, the left main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage, and the right main landing gear splayed outward. The pilot stated that he could have easily made the midfield turnoff with no brakes. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown in several months, and during the preflight inspection, he found that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. The pilot filled the reservoir and reported good braking during taxi for takeoff. At the destination airport, the pilot chose to perform a practice short field landing. The pilot stated that he immediately applied the brakes after touchdown but there was no braking action. He then vigorously pumped the brakes in an attempt to still make a short field landing. The pilot reported that the right brake suddenly functioned, but the left one did not. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the right as there was insufficient rudder effectiveness to straighten the airplane's tracking. The left wing impacted an airport perimeter fence damaging the wing and the lift strut. Additionally, the left main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage, and the right main landing gear splayed outward. The pilot stated that he could have easily made the midfield turnoff with no brakes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74291](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74291-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N 1404, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-13-2 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-13-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-13-2) (registry code 1201004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1404 - Airframe hours: 2035 - Engines: Franklin GA4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Frank N. Partridge - Registered owner: Frank N. Partridge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2010 - Departed: AZ50, White Hills, AZ - Destination: 67L, Mesquite, NV - Airport: 67L, Mesquite Airport, runway 01, 5,121 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review November 14, 1997; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 60 nm away ## 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 20110315005389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110315005389A), Mar 15, 2011: Bellanca 14-13-2, Mesquite, NV, Substantial damage. He [privacy data omitted] was the lead aircraft of a flight of three that had originated at triangle air park, AZ (AZ50). The aircraft had been hangared and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78552. 302 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.