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January 21, 1987 · Piper PA-22-150 · N7720D

Pungo, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pungo, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N7720D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO87LA016

THE STUDENT MADE 3 FULL STOP LANDINGS ALONE BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR BOARDED THE ACFT. ANOTHER FULL STOP LANDING WAS MADE AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE INSTR NOTICED THAT THE LAST HALF OF THE GRASS RWY WAS WETTER THAN THE FIRST HALF. THE INSTR ELECTED TO TAKEOFF & LAND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; TO THE EAST. ON THE FIRST LANDING TO THE EAST, FULL FLAPS WERE USED AND THE APCH SPEED WAS 80 KTS. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HALF WAY DOWN THE RWY. ABOUT 1700 FT OF RWY REMAINED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ACCORDING TO THE INSTR, THE ACFT SLOWED DOWN IN A NORMAL MANNER UNTIL SOON AFTERWARDS THE STU STATED HE HAD LOST BRAKES. THE INSTR ATTEMPTED TO GROUND LOOP THE ACFT. HOWEVER, WHEN HE TRIED, THE ACFT SKIDDED INSTEAD OF TURNING AND WENT OFF THE RWY INTO A RAVINE AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT MADE 3 FULL STOP LANDINGS ALONE BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR BOARDED THE ACFT. ANOTHER FULL STOP LANDING WAS MADE AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE INSTR NOTICED THAT THE LAST HALF OF THE GRASS RWY WAS WETTER THAN THE FIRST HALF. THE INSTR ELECTED TO TAKEOFF & LAND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; TO THE EAST. ON THE FIRST LANDING TO THE EAST, FULL FLAPS WERE USED AND THE APCH SPEED WAS 80 KTS. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HALF WAY DOWN THE RWY. ABOUT 1700 FT OF RWY REMAINED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ACCORDING TO THE INSTR, THE ACFT SLOWED DOWN IN A NORMAL MANNER UNTIL SOON AFTERWARDS THE STU STATED HE HAD LOST BRAKES. THE INSTR ATTEMPTED TO GROUND LOOP THE ACFT. HOWEVER, WHEN HE TRIED, THE ACFT SKIDDED INSTEAD OF TURNING AND WENT OFF THE RWY INTO A RAVINE AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EST
Nearest AirportPUNGO (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length4000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN7720D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 9 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data