THE PLT WAS ON A FLT FROM FAIRBANKS TO KANTISHNA, AK; HOWEVER, THE RWY AT KANTISHNA WAS MUDDY, SO HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO FAIRBANKS. WHILE RETURNING, HE ELECTED TO LAND AT AN ABANDONED MINE STRIP FOR A COMFORT STOP. DURING THE LANDING, A HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE RIGHT BRAKE FAILED & THAT BRAKE BECAME INOP. THE PLT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE ACFT TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH AN EMBANKMENT. HOWEVER, THE TAIL SECTION HIT THE EMBANKMENT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. THE PLT SAID THE LINE WAS LEAKING BEFORE TAKEOFF & HE HAD TIGHTENED THE FITTING. HE REPORTED THAT THE RIGID LINE'S FLARED END FAILED, PERMITTING A RAPID LOSS OF PRESSURE.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..DIRT BANK/RISING EMBANKMENT

Contributing Factors

MAINTENANCE..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND

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