N665HM Vans RV8 accident

NTSB ERA20CA200 · 2020-05-21 · Hampton, GA · near HMP

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built tailwheel airplane was also the owner and maintained it as well. He stated that during landing, the right main wheel locked up and the airplane veered right. The pilot immediately released right brake pressure and increased left brake pressure, but the airplane continued to veer right off the right side of the runway and came to rest inverted in a grass area. The pilot subsequently examined the right brake under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The brake piston tested satisfactorily, and the pilot could not duplicate a brake locking event. He noted that one of the two caliper pins and one of the two pressure plate holes were worn beyond specification. The pilot added that the wear could cause the pressure plate to cock, or foreign object debris to enter, and cause unintended braking.

Probable cause

A right main landing gear break malfunction during landing. Contributing to the accident was a worn right main landing gear caliper pin and pressure plate hole. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

NONE

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

110

Wind speed (kt)

6

Temperature (F)

75

Nearest airport

Henry County Airport

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings