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NTSB Report

October 9, 1998 · Piper PA-34-R200 · N800JK

Caldwell, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Caldwell, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-R200
Tail Number
N800JK
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC99LA019

The pilot was cleared for the option after flying the only available localizer approach through a 1,200-foot overcast. She opted to land straight ahead with a 6-knot tailwind, and landed about 1,500 feet down the 4,500 foot runway. During the rollout, the pilot found she had almost no toe brake pressure, and when she attempted to pump up brake pressure through an emergency handle, there was still no pressure of any significance. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway, and into a brook. Wreckage examination revealed no ruptures of the hydraulic lines, some hydraulic fluid pooled under the rudder pedals, and leaks from both brake cylinders. No brake pressure could be established using the toe brakes, and the emergency hand brake had to be pumped four times before any toe brake pressure developed. Airplane maintenance had been performed three months earlier, which included bleeding the brake system and replenishing the reservoir.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of both the normal and emergency brake systems.

Full Narrative

On October 9, 1998, at 1803 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-34-R200, N800JK, was destroyed while landing at Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were uninjured, while a third passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An instrument flight plan was filed for the flight between Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester, Massachusetts, and Caldwell. The corporate flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that while on the localizer approach, the tower controller told her that there was new weather, and to expect a straight-in to Runway 22 instead of the circling approach she had anticipated. When the pilot crossed the final approach fix, she knew the airplane was high, so she added a second notch of flaps. When she saw the runway, the airplane was still high, so she reduced the power to idle and added the last notch of flaps. She landed long, but felt she had enough runway to stop. When she applied the brakes, the right brake had no pressure, while the left brake only had "a little." She grabbed the emergency hand brake and tried to pump up the toe brakes, but "did not get much, if any, response." The airplane continued off the end of the runway and into a brook. The airport tower controller stated, and was confirmed by audio tapes, that the pilot had subsequently been cleared "for the option," and that the airplane landed long on the 4,500-foot Runway 22. Three other witnesses stated that the airplane landed just south of Taxiway "B," which was about 3,000 feet from the departure end of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that both main landing gears had been ripped out of the wings, but that the brake lines were not ruptured. Hydraulic fluid on the cockpit floor, under the brake pedals, did not appear to be caused by the accident. Another FAA Inspector stated that he could not develop any brake pressure by pumping the pedals, and that both master cylinders were leaking. He also said that he finally obtained some brake pressure after pumping the emergency handle four times, and that there was air in the brake lines. On July 10, 1998, about 50 hours prior to the accident, maintenance was performed on the airplane which included bleeding the brake system and replenishing the reservoir. Weather observed immediately after the accident included winds from 050 degrees magnetic at 6 knots, visibility 3 statue miles in mist, and an overcast at 1,200 feet above ground level. The runway was wet, and the localizer approach utilized by the pilot was the only one available.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:03 EDT
Nearest AirportEssex County Airport (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length4553 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-R200
Tail NumberN800JK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 6 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data