American Aviation AA-1A N9483L accident near Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The seizure of the left brake due to a buildup of ice between the rotor and brake pad. Contributing to the accident was the snow and slush covered runway, and the snowbank.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings on a turf runway covered with approximately 1-inch of wet snow and slush. The pilot had performed four touch-and-goes without incident. During the fifth landing roll, the pilot initially applied brake pressure to slow the airplane, but then released the brakes to allow the airplane to roll further down the runway. The pilot stated that the left brake seized and the airplane swerved to the left. The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a snowbank and nosed over. A post-accident inspection revealed that the left wheel would not rotate because of ice buildup between the rotor and the brake pad. The airplane was equipped with a castering nose gear and on-ground steering was accomplished solely by differential braking.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA076 for the full record.