Summary
Circumstances:
The aircraft was landing downwind on an agricultural strip. During the landing roll the aircraft departed the left side of the strip following the failure of the right brake coming to rest inverted in a rice paddy. The investigation found the right brake master cylinder had buckled in the reservoir area. The buckling and resultant misalignment of the piston rod caused a bending failure of the rod and liberation of the piston with a subsequent loss of hydraulic pressure to the right brake. The reason for the failure of the master cylinder was not determined. There are no other recorded accidents involving master cylinder failures in this type of aircraft. The failure is therefore considered an isolated case.
Significant Factors:
The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:
1. Material failure of the right brake master cylinder piston rod.
2. Loss of hydraulic pressure to the right brake.
3. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control on the landing roll.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199001959 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 05/01/1990 |
| Location | "Bodoca" Agricultural Strip (12 km east of Griffith) |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 01/05/1990 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Loss of control |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Grumman American Aviation Corp |
|---|---|
| Model | G-164 |
| Registration | VH-HCR |
| Serial number | 5B |
| Sector | Piston |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | "Bodoca" NSW |
| Destination | Bodoca NSW |
| Damage | Substantial |