Cessna 180 N1585C accident near Newport, New Hampshire

Probable cause

A leak in the right brake slave cylinder, which led to no fluid in the reservoir and subsequent asymmetric braking.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was initiating a personal flight and noted no discrepancies with the brakes during the preflight inspection, the engine run-up, or the initial portion of taxiing aside from the left brake pedal not lining up exactly with the right brake pedal, which had been that way for a while. When the pilot attempted to slow the airplane during the taxi, the right brake pedal travelled to the floor, which resulted in asymmetric braking. In an effort to avoid trees, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane and added power, which exacerbated the turn and resulted in the right wing impacting the ground. Postaccident examination of the right brake revealed no fluid in the reservoir and a leak at the slave cylinder, which likely resulted in the asymmetric braking and ground loop.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA290 for the full record.