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NTSB Report

February 3, 1998 · Piper PA-22-108 · N4654Z

Frederick, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Frederick, OK
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108
Tail Number
N4654Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA124

The 35-hour student pilot stated that he was aware that he was landing downwind, but feared that he might have lost visual contact with the airport due to the fog that was forming, if he had attempted to circle the airport to land on runway 3. The pilot reported the winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots and stated that he touched down midfield on the 4,800-foot runway. During the landing roll, he started to apply the wheel brakes as he approached the departure end of the runway. While applying brake pressure with the brake lever, the cable to the brakes snapped resulting in the total loss of braking action. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, and the nose wheel impacted a ridge/terrace in the wheat field adjacent to the airport. The 1961 model 'Colt' had accumulated a total of 1,715 airframe hours. According to the manufacturer's illustrated parts catalog, the failed cable assembly for the brake control, part number 40123-91, is a condition item without a specific replacement or retirement time. The cable separated at the point where it makes a sharp turn over a pulley (part number 11200-00).

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of wheel brakes due to the failure of the brake actuating cable. A factor was the tailwind.

Full Narrative

On February 3, 1998, at 0900 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-108 airplane, N4654Z, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun while landing near Frederick, Oklahoma. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Frederick Municipal Airport at approximately 0800. The student pilot reported that the flight departed from Runway 35 at the Frederick Municipal Airport "for some upper air work in the local practice area." The pilot further stated that fog started to form in the vicinity of the airport, so he elected to proceed direct to the airport to avoid the inclement weather. The pilot stated that he was aware that he was landing downwind on runway 21, but feared that he might have lost visual contact with the airport if he had attempted to circle the airport to land on runway 03. The pilot reported the winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot stated that he made a normal touchdown midfield on the 4,800 foot concrete runway. During the landing roll, he started to apply the wheel brakes as he approached the departure end of the runway. While applying brake pressure with the brake lever, the cable to the brakes snapped, resulting in the total loss of braking action. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, and the nose wheel impacted a ridge/terrace in the wheat field adjacent to the airport. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 35 hours, of which 28 were in the accident airplane. He reported that he purchased the airplane in September from its second owner. The airplane had accumulated 12 hours since it's last annual inspection, which was completed in November 1997. The pilot suspected that the cable that failed was the one that came with the airplane when it was manufactured. The nose gear dug into the soft ridge, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The vertical fin, rudder, the struts for the right wing, and the main spar for the left wing sustained structural damage. The leading edge of the right wing was also damaged. The 1961 model "Colt" had accumulated a total of 1,715 airframe hours. According to the manufacturer's illustrated parts catalog, the failed brake cable assembly, part number 40123-91, is a condition item without a specific replacement or retirement time. The cable separated at the point where it makes a sharp turn over a pulley (part number 11200-00).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CST
Nearest AirportFrederick Municipal (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-108
Tail NumberN4654Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-A · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data