Event MIA04LA081

Factual narrative

On May 8, 2004, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Beech A23A, N3659Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, veered off the runway during landing rollout at Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated the same day, from Pilot Country Airport, Spring Hill, Florida, about 1250. The pilot stated that while landing at Crystal River Airport, after a normal landing flare/touchdown and initial rollout, about 50 feet beyond his touchdown point the airplane suddenly veered to the left, departing the runway. He stated that he attempted to use the right brake and nose wheel steering to control the airplane, but it seemed that the right brake either "locked up" or provided no braking at all, and the airplane exited the runway incurring damage. An FAA inspector who responded to the accident, stated that the airplane departed the runway at about 3,000 feet down the landing runway in the vicinity of a taxiway entrance/exit to the runway. He further stated that after the airplane departed the runway, it impacted a runway sign, crossed a grass median and a taxiway, and came to rest in a ditch about a 100 yards from the runway. The inspector further stated that he examined the accident aircraft's brake system, and no anomalies were found. The pilot stated the approach as well as the landing flare/touchdown at Crystal River Airport, was normal, but about 50 feet after the initial touchdown the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, crossed a grass median and taxiway, coming to rest in a ditch, incurring structural damage. An FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that the accident airplane made tire skid marks 3000 feet down the runway in the vicinity of a taxiway entrance/exit to the runway, and an examination of the accident aircraft's brake system revealed no anomalies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12