Date: 201909
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Landing
Airspace: Class G ZZZ
Aircraft component: Hydraulic System Lines; Connectors; Fittings
Component problem: Improperly Operated; Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Time Pressure; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Airport; Human Factors
Primary problem: Airport

Narrative: ZZZ is an unimproved runway. I planned to go there with a friend for a camping trip overnight on the weekend.In preparation for the route; I used SkyVector to plan the route (and fuel quantity). I reviewed the Chart Supplement page for the airport; and also called the Airport Manager and asked for details. The Airport Manager indicated that I should land beyond the first road that is there; and that it's an in and out airport; given that high mountains are at the non-lake side of the strip. He advised that the safest place to put the plane overnight would be the lake-side area; as there's a shooting range at the mountain side of the runway. He also mentioned the doughnut tracks that are there; but did say that the runway is in use.I used Google Maps to review the runway; and its parts; and planned to land on the section of runway that seemed to be most used. I also did a 3D terrain view review of my approach; reconnaissance; and landing path.On the morning of the flight; I got a weather briefing by phone; also discussing weather for the Sunday (given there would be no cell coverage at ZZZ).Before the flight; I topped up to full fuel; as the plane did not have full fuel.As I approached the airport; I located the runway; and flew over the field; noted the windsock; and noted that there'd be a tailwind landing. Thus; I expected a slightly faster approach speed.As I approached to land; with full flaps; I planned to have an approach speed of ~65 mph; with full flaps.During the landing; I came in and touched down just after the road on the more used section of the runway (based on Google Maps review); and attempted to keep the nose up for as long as possible. The landing was rougher than I expected; and during the latter part of the landing; I made a split-second decision to transition from the runway to the taxiway; as it appeared to be smoother. During this transition; the left wheel struck some rocks that someone had stacked in a pile on one of the small tire markers that delineated the runway/taxiway.After the landing; I shut down the plane; and reviewed the wheels; and noticed that hydraulic fluid was leaking on the left wheel.I started the plane again; and taxied to the location that I'd planned upon near the lakeside end of the runway.I made arrangements to call a more experienced pilot friend with the assistance of a campground manager. I described what had happened; and he suggested that the plane would still be flyable; knowing that there'd be limited braking power; and to make sure to use the full runway upon return home. He also gave advice as to how to handle slowing down with one brake out. I mentally prepared myself through this.The next day; I walked the length of the runway; and removed several large rocks from the field and the taxiway (tossing them to the non-runway side of the taxiway). I also planned for where I would start my take-off so as to use the smoothest section of runway; and how to approach and turn using the right wheel (which still had braking authority).During pre-flight; I also noticed that the very ends of the propeller blades had some nicks in them. The nicks were toward the very end of each blade. I decided to continue the flight.The return flight was uneventful. On approach to land; I advised Tower that I needed the full runway (Runway XXR was in use); and that I had limited braking power. The landing was smooth. Braking was as expected; and I made a slow uneventful taxi to the hangar; followed by a fire engine.At ZZZ; there were lots of large rocks on the runway and taxiway. A better airport diagram and perhaps more frequent removal of rocks from the field would help other pilots avoid damage to their plane




Synopsis: C182 Pilot reported striking rocks on landing at an unimproved airport; resulting in damage to the braking assembly.