Primary finding
Probable cause
A partial failure of the brake system.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during the landing roll a gust of wind turned the airplane to the left. He applied right brake for correction, but this was ineffective. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway down an embankment and nosed over. Postaccident examination revealed that both brake pedals were spongy. In addition, when the right brake pedal was released slightly and then reapplied, it would bottom out all the way to the floor.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 23, 1995, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N978D, piloted and owned by Dan D. Kibler, on a personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Clarion County Airport, Clarion, Pennsylvania. The pilot was not injured. Visual Meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, Was making normal landing at Clarion County Airport on runway 6. Airplane was on the runway in a final roll out, when a gust of strong wind caught the left side of tail and turned aircraft to the left. Right brake failed and was unable to make necessary correction to keep airplane on runway....[The] airplane veered to [the] left [and] went down over high embankment and nosed over. An inspection of the airplane's brake system was performed by Shippenville Aviation, Shippenville, Pennsylvania under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The inspection revealed that both brake pedals were slightly spongy. However, when the right pedal was released slightly, and then reapplied, it would bottom out and go to the floor. This test was performed several times, with the same results each time. -