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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 6, 1997 · Piper PA-34-200T · N8188X

Healdsburg, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Healdsburg, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N8188X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA153

The pilot reported that the flight was normal through landing touchdown. When he applied the wheel brakes after landing, both pedals went all the way down. By pumping the brakes he was able to get some braking action from the right brake. It became apparent to him that he would not be able to stop the aircraft on the 2,700-foot-long runway, and there was insufficient runway remaining to go-around. He permitted the aircraft to veer to the right, off the runway, and ground loop in the run-up area. He said that in the two previous landings that morning the brakes functioned properly. The reason for the brake failure was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of pressure in the landing gear normal brake system for undetermined reasons requiring the pilot to make an intentional ground loop to stop the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On April 6, 1997, at 1255 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N8188X, was substantially damaged when the aircraft went off the end of runway 13 during landing at the Healdsburg, California, airport. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which departed from Red Bluff, California, at 1220. The pilot reported that the flight was normal through landing touchdown. When he applied the wheel brakes after landing, both pedals went all the way down. By "pumping" the brakes he was able to get some braking action from the right brake. It became apparent to him that he would not be able to stop the aircraft on the 2,700-foot-long runway, and there was insufficient runway remaining to go-around. He permitted the aircraft to veer to the right, off the runway, and ground loop in the run-up area. He said that in the two previous landings that morning the brakes functioned properly. The reason for the brake failure was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:55 PDT
Nearest AirportHealdsburg Municipal (1nm SE)
Runway13
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN8188X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-EB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data