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Accidents · NTSB ERA23LA134 · Final report

Cessna 182S accident near Labelle, Florida, February 28, 2023

On February 28, 2023 at about 4:11 pm local time, a 2000 Cessna 182S, registered N397ME, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Labelle, Florida (La Belle Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A malfunction of the airplane’s right main wheel brake, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion during landing.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
February 28, 2023 · about 4:11 pm local time
Place
Labelle, Florida · La Belle Municipal Airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 182S, built 2000 · all 182Ss on the register
Registration
N397ME · registry record · serial 18280876
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

During a checkout flight with a flight instructor to meet flying club currency rules, the pilot flew to a nearby airport. Upon arrival at the airport they practiced landings. Immediately after the fifth landing, during the roll out, the airplane turned abruptly to the right, exited the runway onto the grass area between the runway and taxiway, and impacted a drainage ditch. The airplane’s fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s wheels and braking system revealed that the right main wheel would not rotate on its axle. When pressure was applied to the top of the pilot’s side right rudder pedal, the actuator rod for the master cylinder would stick in the retracted position and would not automatically extend when the rudder pedal was released. Additionally, a gurgling sound (which indicated that air was in the system) could be heard during actuation. Further examination of the brake system revealed that the right brake assembly was not functional, displayed evidence of overheating, and was leaking fluid from around the upper piston, which was stuck in the extended position. The lower piston was also partially extended and was covered with brake fluid. The pressure plate would not move, and the anchor bolts that the pressure plate slid on displayed evidence of corrosion. Additionally, both piston O-rings appeared flat and did not stand proud from the sides of the pistons, the brake linings displayed higher than normal wear, and the brake disc displayed grooving. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s right brake malfunctioned during the landing, which resulted in the loss of directional control during landing.

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

  1. Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
  2. Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Malfunction
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 633 hours in all; 377 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 593 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: November 2, 2022
  • Medical certificate: BasicMed
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

Flight instructor

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane
  • Flight time: 5,625 hours in all; 88 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 3,492 as pilot in command; 813 on instruments
  • Last flight review: October 29, 2022
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 4,377.5 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 5, 2023
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,110 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Cub Club INC

The flight

  • Departed from: FMY Fort Myers FL at 3:29 pm
  • Destination: X14 Labelle FL
  • Flight plan: VFR
  • Runway 32, 5,254 ft by 75 ft
  • A second pilot was aboard

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 270° at 12 knots
  • Visibility: 9 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
  • Observation at 11:15 am from KIMM, 18 miles away

Weather report (METAR): METAR KIMM 281615Z AUTO 27012KT 9SM CLR 32/22 A3005 RMK AO2=

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 15, 2023. 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.

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.