Fleet 7 N9433 accident near Louisa, Virginia

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel’s improper service, adjustment, and inspection of the brakes, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent noseover.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, following a normal left-crosswind landing, the airplane veered left. Further right rudder application resulted in the airplane continuing to veer left until it exited the edge of the runway and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the brake cable was not properly adjusted and that, as a result, the application of the right rudder pedal engaged the left brake. The airplane's last annual inspection occurred about 2 months before the accident, and, during this inspection, maintenance personnel were required to check the brakes for proper adjustment. It is likely that if maintenance personnel had adequately conducted the annual inspection they could have recognized the incorrectly adjusted brakes. No other anomalies or mechanical malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA418 for the full record.