Cessna 208B N930FE

Summary

On 10 March 2011 at about 15:45 local time, a Cessna 208B registered N930FE, operated by West Air, Inc., was involved in an accident near Bakersfield, California, United States. One person was 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.

Date

10 March 2011 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Bakersfield, California, United States

Nearest airport

Meadows Field Airport (BFL)

Coordinates

35.4253, -119.0403

Aircraft

Cessna 208B

Registration

N930FE

Category

Airplane

Year built

1987

Engines

1

Operator

West Air, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ontario → Bakersfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11FA158

Nobody was injured.

The malfunction of a master brake cylinder, which resulted in a loss of braking action and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with three vehicles during taxi. Contributing to the accident was the inappropriate design and manufacture of the master brake cylinders.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the cargo flight reported that, after landing at the destination airport, he taxied about 1.9 miles using the customary route toward the assigned cargo unloading area. The airplane turned right and then left without experiencing any anomalies. The pilot then applied full right rudder and brake pressure to negotiate the last 90-degree turn; however, the airplane did not turn as expected and subsequently impacted two trucks and a van. A witness reported that the airplane's taxi speed appeared normal throughout its approach and final turn. The examination of the accident master brake cylinders and the cylinders from two other airplanes that had reportedly failed revealed several anomalies that could have caused or contributed to the airplane's failure to turn as expected. The examination revealed that the right pedal assembly may interfere with the adjacent floorboard when the brake pedal is compressed to or near the full-internal cylinder travel stop, which may cause an additional stop and limit the overall travel of the cylinder. The examination also revealed that numerous components or items may prevent the master brake cylinders from fully extending after the brakes are released and adequate travel (reduced pressure) when the brakes are subsequently actuated. Additionally, the examination revealed that the brake fluid may bypass the piston O-ring or Stat-O-Seal if parts are damaged or excessively worn. The cylinder manufacturer, in conjunction with the FAA, published Service Bulletin CAB-32-01, Revision 1, to address the noted mechanical anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.