NTSB Factual Report

On January 22, 2004, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Cirrus SR-22, N344CD, was substantially damaged while landing at the College Park Airport (CGS), College Park, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the business flight, which originated at the Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, New Jersey. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as the airplane touched down on runway 15, a 2,607-foot long asphalt runway, the pilot applied the brakes. The left brake pedal did not respond, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane proceeded into a grass area, and the left wing struck a VASI assembly before coming to rest upright.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed a small hole in the left landing gear brake line. Further examination of the brake line revealed chafing marks created by a rivet, which was on a strut fairing bracket located adjacent to the brake line.

During the airplane's most recent annual inspection, which was completed on October 29, 2003, chafing was noted on the brake line, and subsequently the line was replaced.

On December 29, 2003, maintenance personnel replaced the left main landing gear fairing assembly and standoff. No chaffing of the brake line was noted.

According to a representative of the airplane manufacturer, no further problems with chaffing of brake lines were identified with other airplanes after the accident.

The airplane manufacturer subsequently issued a mandatory Service Bulletin on April 8, 2004, which contained instructions for brake line inspections and installation of anti-chafe spacers to the upper and lower nut-plate clips on the lower strut fairings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of hydraulic fluid due to chaffing of a brake line by a strut fairing rivet, resulting in the failure of the braking system.