North American NA-64 N3201U
23 August 1992 · Bakersfield, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 23 August 1992 at about 15:10 local time, a North American NA-64 registered N3201U, operated by Albert Pemberton, was involved in an accident near Bakersfield, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Bakersfield, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Meadows Field (BFL)
- Coordinates
- 35.5401, -118.9093
- Aircraft
- North American NA-64
- Registration
- N3201U
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Albert Pemberton
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA363
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ONTO THE BRAKE LINING AND DRUM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING LANDING THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TURNING TO THE LEFT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE TURNING TENDENCY WITH RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE APPLICATION; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY GROUND LOOPED AND COLLAPSED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE BRAKES WERE EXAMINED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE BRAKE DRUM AND LINING. DISASSEMBLY OF THE LEFT BRAKE CYLINDER REVEALED DEEP CORROSION PITS ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE AIRPLANE, VEGETABLE BASE (AUTOMOTIVE) BRAKE FLUID IS USED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT UNLIKE MINERAL BASE BRAKE FLUID USED IN MODERN AIRCRAFT, 'VEGETABLE BASE FLUID WILL NOT TOLERATE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND WILL CAUSE A BRAKE LINING TO 'GRAB' THE DRUM DURING HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION.'
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other North American NA-64 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 2000 | North American NA-64 | Clearwater, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |