Great Lakes 2T-1A-1 accident near Roanoke, Texas, June 14, 2021
On June 14, 2021 at about 1:30 pm local time, a 1973 Great Lakes 2T-1A-1, registered N503GL, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Roanoke, Texas (Northwest Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate maintenance of the brake system which resulted in the caliper binding closed and the subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2021 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Roanoke, Texas · Northwest Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Great Lakes 2T-1A-1, built 1973 · all 2T-1A-1s on the register
- Registration
- N503GL · registry record · serial 0503
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that when he applied “light even braking” during the landing roll, the airplane abruptly veered left. He added full right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued to the left and exited the runway surface. The airplane sunk into the soft dirt, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper wing and rudder. The pilot further reported that the brakes had been replaced during the last annual inspection which occurred about 1 hour before the accident. An on scene examination of the brake system revealed that the left wheel would not rotate. The brake caliper was disassembled; the caliper pins exhibited brake dust and brake fluid residue which is not consistent with new brakes. Therefore, it is likely the caliper was stuck closed during landing due to the brake dust and brake fluid reside on the caliper pins.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Braking capability › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,200 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 81 in the last 90 days; 67 in the last 30 days; 11,591 as pilot in command; 550 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 23, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,181 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 2021; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-EZA (piston); 301 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from AFW, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAFW 141353Z 06005KT 10SM FEW180 SCT300 29/24 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02890239
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 13, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Federal Aviation Administration Regarding on Scene Observations | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Log Entry - Most Recent Annual | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.