Cessna 208B accident near Bakersfield, California, March 10, 2011
On March 10, 2011 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1987 Cessna 208B, registered N930FE, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Bakersfield, California (Meadows Field Airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The malfunction of a master brake cylinder, which resulted in a loss of braking action and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with three vehicles during taxi. Contributing to the accident was the inappropriate design and manufacture of the master brake cylinders.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 10, 2011 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Bakersfield, California · Meadows Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208B, built 1987 · all 208Bs on the register
- Registration
- N930FE · registry record · serial 208B0030
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the cargo flight reported that, after landing at the destination airport, he taxied about 1.9 miles using the customary route toward the assigned cargo unloading area. The airplane turned right and then left without experiencing any anomalies. The pilot then applied full right rudder and brake pressure to negotiate the last 90-degree turn; however, the airplane did not turn as expected and subsequently impacted two trucks and a van. A witness reported that the airplane's taxi speed appeared normal throughout its approach and final turn. The examination of the accident master brake cylinders and the cylinders from two other airplanes that had reportedly failed revealed several anomalies that could have caused or contributed to the airplane's failure to turn as expected. The examination revealed that the right pedal assembly may interfere with the adjacent floorboard when the brake pedal is compressed to or near the full-internal cylinder travel stop, which may cause an additional stop and limit the overall travel of the cylinder. The examination also revealed that numerous components or items may prevent the master brake cylinders from fully extending after the brakes are released and adequate travel (reduced pressure) when the brakes are subsequently actuated. Additionally, the examination revealed that the brake fluid may bypass the piston O-ring or Stat-O-Seal if parts are damaged or excessively worn. The cylinder manufacturer, in conjunction with the FAA, published Service Bulletin CAB-32-01, Revision 1, to address the noted mechanical anomalies.
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
- Loss of control on ground during taxi (from runway) defining event
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Master cylinder/brake valve › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Master cylinder/brake valve › Design
- factor Organizational issues › Development › Manufacture/production › Equipment manufacture › Manufacturer
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,096 hours in all; 3,100 in this make and model; 95 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 5,021 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 9, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,532 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, December 17, 2011
- Seats: 12
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A SERIES (turboprop); 10,570 hours total
- Operator: West Air, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: ONT Ontario CA at 2:42 pm
- Destination: BFL Bakersfield CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 30R, 10,855 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from BFL, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR11FA158.