NTSB CAROL · Event
Event CEN21LA267
Registry · N503GL
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
GREAT LAKES 2T-1A-1
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19731115
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A645B6
Registrant of record
WOMACK THOMAS G
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
Inadequate maintenance of the brake system which resulted in the caliper binding closed and the subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that when he applied “light even braking” during the landing roll, the airplane abruptly veered left. He added full right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued to the left and exited the runway surface. The airplane sunk into the soft dirt, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper wing and rudder. The pilot further reported that the brakes had been replaced during the last annual inspection which occurred about 1 hour before the accident. An on scene examination of the brake system revealed that the left wheel would not rotate. The brake caliper was disassembled; the caliper pins exhibited brake dust and brake fluid residue which is not consistent with new brakes. Therefore, it is likely the caliper was stuck closed during landing due to the brake dust and brake fluid reside on the caliper pins. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Braking capability-Malfunction
- — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect service/maintenance
- — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2021_CEN21LA267.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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Related research
What the literature says.
Academic papers and agency reports matching this event's aircraft type or causal vocabulary (maintenance). Sourced from NASA NTRS, NTSB Safety Studies, FAA CAMI, AOPA Air Safety Institute, Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons, arXiv, and the Semantic Scholar academic graph.
- Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons 2026 · Journal article (IJAAA)
From Reactive to Predictive: A hybrid Trust-Mediated Adoption Framework for Data-Driven Maintenance in Distributed-Authority Aviation Environments
Modern aviation maintenance operates within increasingly data-intensive technological environments, yet the operational integration of predictive maintenance into routine decision-making remains incon…
- Semantic Scholar 2025 · Article (Applied Sciences)
Decision-Making Framework for Aviation Safety in Predictive Maintenance Strategies
The implementation of predictive maintenance (PM) in aviation presents unique challenges due to strict safety requirements, complex operational environments, and regulatory constraints.
- Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons 2024 · Journal article (JAAER)
Low-Resource Automatic Speech Recognition Domain Adaptation – A Case-Study in Aviation Maintenance
With timeliness and efficiency being critical in the aviation maintenance industry, the need has been growing for smart technological solutions that optimize and streamline the different underlying ta…
- Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons 2024 · Journal article (JAAER)
A New Trajectory in UAV Safety: Leveraging Reinforcement Learning for Distance Maintenance Under Wind Variations
In the field of aviation, safety is a critical cornerstone, and the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems is deeply connected with this principle.
- Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons 2024 · Journal article (IJAAA)
Just Culture in Aviation: A Metaphorical Study on Aircraft Maintenance Students
Just Culture, a sub-dimension of safety culture, has been a prominent and debated topic in aviation safety in recent years.
- Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons 2024 · Journal article (IJAAA)
Performance PRISM: A Comprehensive Framework For Performance Measurement In Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is governed by rigorous safety requirements and high operational complexity, demanding robust performance measurement frameworks to ensure optimal maintenance practices.
Browse the full corpus — academia portal ↗