Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off with a known master brake cylinder leak and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing at an airport along his route, he observed a leak from the left master brake cylinder. He added that he "wiped up [a] considerable [amount of] brake fluid from the floorboard," conducted a "thorough inspection" of the left brake, and then departed for another airport.
He further reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane weathervaned into the crosswind, and he applied "full rudder and [the] application of brake found no brake available." He added that, after pumping the brakes, they began to function. The airplane veered off the runway to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA212 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 28, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Stevensville, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Stevensville (32S)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built WITTMAN W-10
- N-number
- N13XZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2015
- 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.