GAA18CA139

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during landing after it had just rained, the airplane touched down on the first third of the wet runway on the centerline. During the landing roll, he let the airplane roll to the end of the runway, so that he did not have to use excessive brake inputs. He added that, as he turned left toward the taxiway, he noticed the brakes were not very effective and the airplane began to pivot to the right. He felt the right main gear and nose wheel slide, the airplane exited the runway, and the nose wheel "bumped and folded". Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during landing after it had just rained, the airplane touched down on the first third of the wet runway on the centerline. During the landing roll, he let the airplane roll to the end of the runway so that he did not have to use excessive brake inputs. He added that, as he turned left toward the taxiway, he noticed the brakes were not very effective and that the airplane began to pivot to the right. He felt the right main landing gear and nosewheel slide. The airplane exited the runway, and the nosewheel "bumped and folded." Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Wet surface-Effect on operation