Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing resulting from binding of the left wheel's brake actuating system for an undetermined reason.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he made a normal landing on the runway. During rollout, he felt a vibration coming from the landing gear. When he exited the runway, the airplane turned abruptly to the left, as if the left brake had locked up. The uncommanded sharp left turn resulted in the airplane exiting the pavement and impacting a cement culvert. The examination of the runway revealed witness marks consistent with a locked left wheel brake. An examination of the airplane's left wheel assembly revealed that the tire rotated freely. No external evidence of brake failure was found. The reason for the intermittent anomaly associated with the brake assembly or cylinder was not determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA236 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 10, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mesquite, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Mesquite (67L)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N73017
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.