Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA 4 N747CB accident near Orlando, Florida

Probable cause

A loss of directional control during taxi operations for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in the airplane rolling into a ditch.

NTSB analysis

While the noncertificated pilot was taxiing the airplane to a hangar after a local flight, he lost directional control, and the airplane then rolled into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that the left brake actuator had failed.

A review of the airplane's maintenance logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was completed more than 10 years before the accident. During postaccident examination of the airplane immediately after the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector could not examine the brakes because of the instability of the airplane on the jacks and because the wheels were covered in mud. The owner did not make the airplane available for further examination; therefore, the reason for the loss of directional control could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA264 for the full record.