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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 24, 1995 · Piper PA-34-200 · N56484

Avalon, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Avalon, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N56484
Operator
Aero Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA230

AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE 3,240-FOOT-LONG RUNWAY, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THAT THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR WAS 3/4 FULL AND THE BRAKE PADS LOOKED NEW. BOTH BRAKE PEDALS WERE SPONGY AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. AIR WAS FOUND IN THE BRAKE LINES. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND SERVICED ON JUNE 23, 1995. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST ONE SINCE THE WORK ON THE BRAKES WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

NTSB Probable Cause

complete brake failure due to improper replacement and service of the brakes by company maintenance personnel.

Full Narrative

On June 24, 1995, at 1150 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, N56484, overran runway 22 while landing and collided with a fence at Catalina Airport, Avalon, California. The aircraft was operated by Aero Club of Van Nuys, California, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight to Catalina Island. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated airline transport pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight originated at Van Nuys, California, on the day of the accident at 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that after touchdown he experienced a brake failure and could not stop the aircraft prior to overrunning the 3,240-foot-long runway and colliding with a boundary fence. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspectors examined the airplane and found that the hydraulic reservoir was 3/4 full, and the brake pads looked new. He also reported that the brake pedals were spongy and would go to the floor. He also stated that there was air in the brake lines. In a telephone interview, the owner of Aero Club stated that the brakes were replaced and serviced on June 23, 1995. The accident flight was the first one since the work on the brakes was accomplished. Neither the pilot nor the operator responded to repeated written and telephone requests to complete a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 PDT
Nearest AirportCatalina Airport (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length3240 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN56484
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data