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NTSB Report
September 14, 1986 · Piper PA-28-181 · N3072L
Greenwood, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Greenwood, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N3072L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86LA229
THE BRAKE PADS ON THE AIRCRAFT WERE ALLOWED TO WEAR BEYOND THEIR LIMITS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE RIGHT BRAKE CYLINDER MOVED OUT PAST ITS LIMIT AND RELEASED THE O-RING. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE RIGHT BRAKE. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE, WHILE ON LANDING ROLLOUT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE HAD NO RIGHT BRAKE, BUT FULL LEFT BRAKE, WHICH LEFT HIM WITH A LACK OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT STEERED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN WHERE THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED.
Full Narrative
THE BRAKE PADS ON THE AIRCRAFT WERE ALLOWED TO WEAR BEYOND THEIR LIMITS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE RIGHT BRAKE CYLINDER MOVED OUT PAST ITS LIMIT AND RELEASED THE O-RING. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE RIGHT BRAKE. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE, WHILE ON LANDING ROLLOUT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE HAD NO RIGHT BRAKE, BUT FULL LEFT BRAKE, WHICH LEFT HIM WITH A LACK OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT STEERED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN WHERE THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSKYWAY (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN3072L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC