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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 23, 1998 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4212J

Carthage, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Carthage, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4212J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA208

The flight departed, performed airwork and 1 touch-and-go landing at a nearby airport, then returned to the original departure airport. The pilot overflew the airport, observed the windsock, then entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 31. The pilot reported that after touchdown on the 2,538-foot long runway with the flaps fully extended, he lightly applied the brakes, which felt mushy. He then maneuvered the airplane onto grass to help slow the airplane but this was not effective. He maneuvered the airplane onto the runway and with obstructions ahead, forcefully applied right brake which caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane traveled off the runway and came to rest with nose and left main landing gears collapsed. Examination of the brake system by the FAA revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. A weather observation taken at an airport 6 miles away indicates in part that the wind was from 230 degrees at 14 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airport resulting in the collapse of the nose and left main landing gears.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 1998, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4212J, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged on landing at Gilliam McConnell Airstrip near Carthage, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1545 from the Gilliam McConnell Airstrip. The pilot stated that after departure he performed airwork and one touch-and-go landing at the Moore County Airport, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He departed that airport about 1650 and flew to the original departure airstrip where he overflew the airport and observed the windsock. He entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 31, turned base then final with the flaps fully extended. The airplane was landed about 300-350 feet down the 2,538-foot asphalt runway and he lightly applied the brakes, which felt "mushy." The airplane was not decelerating and he maneuvered the airplane onto grass off the left side of the runway, to slow the airplane, which was not effective. He maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and with a depression at the departure end of the runway, he forcefully applied right brake, which caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane came to rest with the nose and left main landing gears collapsed. Examination of the brake system by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Operational check of the brakes was satisfactory. A weather observation taken at 1715 from an airport located 6 nautical miles south-southeast of the accident airstrip indicates in part, that the wind was from 230 degrees at 14 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportGilliam-Mcconnell (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2538 ft
Runway Width36 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4212J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data