PASADENA, MD, USA
N4977C
SNOW S2A
A banner tow airplane veered off the left side of the runway during the landing roll, and collided with an automobile and a parked airplane. The pilot reported that the aircraft has a lockable non-steering tailwheel, which was locked for the landing. He stated that when he applied both brakes to stop the airplane, it began to veer to the left. He attempted to correct by applying more right brake, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the right brake had failed. Records indicated that the airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the most recent Annual Inspection, completed 13 days prior to the accident.
On September 15, 1995, at about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Snow S2A, N4977C, veered off the left side of the runway while landing at Mountain Road Airport, Pasadena, Maryland. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a banner tow flight under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that during the landing roll as he applied the brake, the airplane veered 30 degrees to the left. He stated that he attempted to correct by applying full right brake, but he was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and exited the runway where it collided with a tree, an automobile and a parked airplane. The FAA Inspector reported that he examined the airplane after the accident and he observed that the right brake had failed. Further examination of the right brake did not disclose the cause of the failure. The pilot reported that the most recent inspection of the airplane was an Annual Inspection, dated September 2, 1995. The airplane had flown approximately 10 hours since the Annual Inspection. According to the pilot this aircraft is equipped with a lockable non-steering tailwheel. At the time of the accident the tailwheel was locked.
the pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the failure of the right brake during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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