N89EPCessna T210L · 1974

On April 23, 2024, at 1113 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210 airplane, N89EP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Placerville, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that immediately after the airplane touched down, it pulled to the right. He attempted to correct with rudder application, but the airplane continued to veer to the right. He first suspected that it was a flat right main tire, although he recalled the airplane was rolling smoothly. He then applied the left brake to help with the correction as the airplane continued to veer to the right. Before exiting off the side of the runway he applied pressure to both brake pedals. Despite his actions, the airplane exited the runway and onto the grass-covered runway safety area and continued to a parking area near hangars. The braking had little effect as the airplane traveled over the grass, and the pilot continued to apply the left brake and full left rudder to try to return to the runway. In a last effort to avoid the parking area, he applied both brakes. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an unoccupied airplane and then a hangar door.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The pilot reported that, following the accident, he examined the right brake caliper assembly and found it to be tight and secured. According to the pilot, he could not move the right wheel assembly on the axle.

Postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector. The airplane’s flight control system revealed normal operation. The nose landing gear collapsed during the accident sequence. The right rudder pedals were found forced beyond full deflection. The brake pedals were depressed from each pilot position and both felt normal. The main brake rotors were free to rotate. The inspector spoke with the individuals who moved the airplane into a hangar after the accident, and they did not indicate that either brake assembly was locked in place at that time.