| Crash location | 46.525556°N, 114.052778°W |
| Nearest city | Stevensville, MT
46.509923°N, 114.093159°W 2.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N13XZ |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 28 Mar 2017 |
| Aircraft type | Thomas Craig E Wittman W-10 |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing at an airport along his route, he observed a leak from the left master brake cylinder. He added that he "wiped up [a] considerable [amount of] brake fluid from the floorboard", did a "thorough inspection" of the left brake, and then departed for another airport.
He further reported that, during the landing roll at the accident airport, the airplane weathervaned into the crosswind, and he applied "full rudder and [the] application of brake found no brake available". After pumping the brake, he added that, they began to function. The airplane veered off the runway to the right and the left main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot’s decision to take off with a known master brake cylinder leak and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.