Cessna 182S N397ME

Summary

On 28 February 2023 at about 16:11 local time, a Cessna 182S registered N397ME, operated by CUB Club Inc, was involved in an accident near Labelle, Florida, 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.

Date

28 February 2023 at 16:11

Classification

Accident

Location

Labelle, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

La Belle Municipal Airport (X14)

Coordinates

26.7406, -81.4283

Aircraft

Cessna 182S

Registration

N397ME

Category

Airplane

Year built

2000

Engines

1

Operator

CUB Club Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Myers → LaBelle

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA134

Nobody was injured.

A malfunction of the airplane’s right main wheel brake, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a checkout flight with a flight instructor to meet flying club currency rules, the pilot flew to a nearby airport. Upon arrival at the airport they practiced landings. Immediately after the fifth landing, during the roll out, the airplane turned abruptly to the right, exited the runway onto the grass area between the runway and taxiway, and impacted a drainage ditch. The airplane’s fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s wheels and braking system revealed that the right main wheel would not rotate on its axle. When pressure was applied to the top of the pilot’s side right rudder pedal, the actuator rod for the master cylinder would stick in the retracted position and would not automatically extend when the rudder pedal was released. Additionally, a gurgling sound (which indicated that air was in the system) could be heard during actuation. Further examination of the brake system revealed that the right brake assembly was not functional, displayed evidence of overheating, and was leaking fluid from around the upper piston, which was stuck in the extended position. The lower piston was also partially extended and was covered with brake fluid. The pressure plate would not move, and the anchor bolts that the pressure plate slid on displayed evidence of corrosion. Additionally, both piston O-rings appeared flat and did not stand proud from the sides of the pistons, the brake linings displayed higher than normal wear, and the brake disc displayed grooving. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s right brake malfunctioned during the landing, which resulted in the loss of directional control during landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.