Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Summary:
On landing at John A Osborne Airport, Montserrat, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft, later reporting the left brake felt spongy. The aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest in an adjacent drainage ditch.
An inspection of the aircrafts braking system revealed a slight brake fluid leak from one of the pistons in the left outboard brake calliper. This would have prevented full brake pressure being achieved on the left brakes, resulting in an asymmetric braking effect. Difficulty in maintaining directional control was compounded by the use of an incorrect braking technique on landing.
The investigation identified shortcomings with the operators manuals, procedures and regulatory oversight.
One Safety Recommendation is made.