WPR15LA183

The airplane touched down smoothly with the power nearly off. During the landing roll, the commercial pilot applied gentle pressure to the brakes to slow down; however, there was no left braking action, but there was right braking action. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, and it departed the narrow runway and subsequently collided with a drainage ditch and cement wall. During postaccident examination of the brake system, the hydraulic system was found almost empty because the bleeder valve on the brake caliper had sheared off due to impact damage. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the lack of left braking action could not be determined.

On June 11, 2015, about 0840 mountain standard time, a Beech E33A, N8401N, exited the runway landing surface during the landing rollout at La Cholla Airpark, Tucson, Arizona, and collided with a drainage ditch. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Tucson, about 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the landing touchdown was smooth, with power nearly off. During the landing roll, he applied gentle pressure to the brakes to slow down, however the left side braking action was non-existent, while the right side brake held. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control as the airplane departed the narrow runway and subsequently collided with a drainage ditch and low cement wall. The wreckage was recovered to a secured facility where a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the brake system. The inspector reported no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. The hydraulic system was almost empty due to the bleeder valve on the brake caliper was sheared off.