Cessna 172L Skyhawk, owned and operated by Carolina Aviation of Aiken LLC, N7081Q: Accident occurred November 23, 2018 at Grand Strand Airport (KCRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; West Columbia, South Carolina

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N7081Q

Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Accident Number: ERA19LA055
Date & Time: 11/23/2018, 1105 EST
Registration: N7081Q
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On November 23, 2018, about 1105 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7081Q, owned and operated by Carolina Aviation of Aiken LLC, collided with a parked, unoccupied airplane while taxiing after landing at Grand Strand Airport (CRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, for the flight that originated about 1 hour 36 minutes earlier from Aiken Regional Airport (AIK), Aiken, South Carolina.

The pilot stated that there were no discrepancies with the brakes at the departure airport. After landing on taxiway A (NOTAM 11/005 specified the taxiway was runway 05/23) the airplane slowed aerodynamically requiring him to add some power. He turned off at the first taxiway and taxied to the ramp while following a van that was escorting him to parking. While taxiing about 4 to 5 miles-per-hour (mph), he felt a wind gust push the tail to the right, which was not corrected with full right rudder. While turning to the left he applied right brake, and at that time the right brake failed. He then applied both brakes to stop but the left turn became exaggerated. He released the left brake and pulled the mixture control to stop the propeller but while rolling about 1-2 mph, the airplane impacted a parked Beech Baron.

The owner/operator of the airplane, who is an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization examined the airplane after the accident and reported seeing drops of fluid on the ground beneath the right brake. He removed the right brake, and noted only drops of fluid emerged from the separated brake line. Further inspection of the brake revealed fluid seeping around the piston assembly. He disassembled the brake and found an o-ring or packing, was misshaped. He repaired the brake and reinstalled it 2 days after the accident but did not bleed the brake or add any fluid. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7081Q
Model/Series: 172 L
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Carolina Aviation Of Aiken LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CRE, 31 ft msl
Observation Time: 1153 EST
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / 19 knots, 40°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Aiken, SC (AIK)
Destination: North Myrtle Beach, SC (CRE)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.811667, -78.723889 (est)