# NTSB WPR18LA037: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG, N2526C, Oro Valley, AZ, November 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 27, 2017, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Oro Valley, AZ - Coordinates: 32.389999, -110.96749 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3900&lon=-110.9675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96385 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96385/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96385 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA037 ## Probable cause The inadequate cooling time between repeated heavy braking applications, which resulted in the brakes overheating and a subsequent brake fire during the aborted takeoff sequence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine surged during an attempted takeoff, and she aborted the takeoff. She let the engine idle for about 5 minutes and then attempted another takeoff. However, the engine surged again. The pilot applied the brakes and aborted the second takeoff. As the pilot was trying to determine the problem and was planning to taxi back to the hangar, the airplane started rolling across the runway and the pilot lost braking capability. The airplane rolled across and off the runway into a ditch. The brakes caught fire which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane was at its maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. The pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane stated that after heavy braking, especially when the airplane is near gross weight, the pilot should allow the brakes to cool for about 20 minutes before additional heavy braking, as the brakes may overheat. It is likely that due to insufficient time to allow the brakes to cool, during the second aborted takeoff sequence, the brakes overheated, which resulted in a brake fire and led to the pilot's loss of braking capability. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 2017, about 1130 mountain standard time, a Columbia LC41-550FG airplane, N2526C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Oro Valley, Arizona. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during an attempted takeoff at La Cholla Airpark (57AZ), Oro Valley, Arizona, the engine surged and she aborted the takeoff. She let the engine idle for about 5 minutes and then attempted another takeoff. However, the engine surged again. The pilot stated that she applied the brakes and aborted the second takeoff. As she was about to return to the hangar, she lost braking capability, the airplane rolled off the runway into a ditch, and she saw flames when she looked out. The fire substantially damaged the right wing and fuselage. The passenger stated that the brakes caught fire during taxi after the second aborted takeoff, and the brake lines burned through during the fire. The pilot reported that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was 3,600 lbs, which is the airplane’s maximum gross weight. The Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG) Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Section 4, Normal Procedures, states that "After heavy braking, especially when the airplane is near gross weight, allow the brakes to cool for about 20 minutes before additional heavy braking. The brakes may overheat if there is repeated heavy braking without adequate cooling time." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2526C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2526C-2019-08-22), registration cancelled 2019-08-22, S/N 41569, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG LC41 550FG (550FG) - Registry model: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/columbia-aircraft-mfg-lc41-550fg) (registry code 5150011) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-c) (registry code 17246, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 41569 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 921.6 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-550-C9 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2017 - Departed: 57AZ, Tuscon, AZ - Destination: KSBS, Steamboat Sprin, CO - Airport: 57AZ, La Cholla Airpark, runway 19, 4,670 × 44 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 408.6 total, 24.1 in this make and model, 2.7 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KTUS, 16 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 20171127022449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171127022449A), Nov 27, 2017: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. Pilot aborted takeoff twice from liftoff speed. Rt brake and tire caught fire during taxiback from second abort which ignited rt fuel tank, fuel fire destroyed… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96385. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8045663&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Point%20One%20for%20Maja_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Do statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8045817&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20from%20DO_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG) with garmin integrated flight display pilota��s operating handbook excerpt (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8045273&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH-400-G1000-%20extract-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8045173&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.