Probable cause
The failure of the left brake to release due to corrosion and pitting of the caliper piston and bore, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that when the wheels touched down during landing the airplane pulled hard to the left and departed the runway despite his control inputs to correct the airplane’s direction of travel. The airplane nose landing gear collapsed during the runway excursion and the airplane came to rest inverted in the adjacent cornfield. The wings and empennage sustained substantial damage.
After the accident a bystander attempted to turn the left wheel of the airplane and told the pilot he could barely move it. Later when the pilot tried to move the left wheel it turned freely.
A post-accident examination of the airplane showed that the brake caliper pistons and piston bores for both main landing gear were corroded and pitted. It is likely the left brake caliper failed to release after being used during the landing due to the corroded brake components.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA264 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pipestone, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Pipestone Muni (PQN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Alon A2
- N-number
- N6557Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.