Desousa JABIRU J400 N522RJ

Summary

On 14 January 2008 at about 01:20 local time, a Desousa JABIRU J400 registered N522RJ was involved in an accident near Santa Monica, California, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 January 2008 at 01:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Monica, California, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Monica Muni (SMO)

Coordinates

34.0158, -118.4511

Aircraft

Desousa JABIRU J400

Registration

N522RJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Avalon → Santa Monica

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

SEA08LA060

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and loss of the wheel brake system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that the airplane touched down beyond the midpoint of the runway, and he applied "heavy braking." He reported that the brakes failed about three-quarters of the way down the 4,973-foot runway. The airplane overran the runway, and collided with a ditch which resulted in substantial damage to the wing assembly. Examination of the single-caliper main wheel brake assemblies by the pilot revealed extensive wear to the brake pads and rotors. He reported that both pads on the right-hand brake assembly were "melted," and the associated backing plate was bent. The actuator piston and associated O-ring was displaced, and a fluid leak was noted. The brake pads were original equipment that were installed when the airplane was manufactured 160 hours prior to the accident. The most recent condition inspection was completed 5 months and 22 hours prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.