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July 28, 1983 · Piper PA-28-181 · N2135F

Rutherfordton, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Rutherfordton, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N2135F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA307

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. SHE REQUESTED THAT THE PLT IN THE COPILOT'S SEAT ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE COPILOT CONFIRMED THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE USING HER BRAKES. SINCE THE RWY WAS RELATIVELY SHORT, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS HIGH & THE ACFT HAD A FULL LOAD OF PASSENGER'S, THE AIRCREW DECIDED NOT TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. THE LAST PART OF THE RWY SLOPED DOWNHILL, MAKING THE ACFT MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, TRAVELED DOWN A SLOPE & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN BRAKE LININGS (CLEVELAND PN 6630) WERE WORN PAST THE RETAINING RIVETS & INTO THE METAL CALIPER. THE EDGE OF THE O-RING PISTON SEAL PROTRUDED PAST THE CYLINDER LIP & WAS BROKEN. ALSO, NO FLUID WAS REMAINING IN THE CYLINDER. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN APRX 129 HRS SINCE NEW BRAKE LININGS WERE INSTALLED.

Full Narrative

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. SHE REQUESTED THAT THE PLT IN THE COPILOT'S SEAT ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE COPILOT CONFIRMED THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE USING HER BRAKES. SINCE THE RWY WAS RELATIVELY SHORT, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS HIGH & THE ACFT HAD A FULL LOAD OF PASSENGER'S, THE AIRCREW DECIDED NOT TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. THE LAST PART OF THE RWY SLOPED DOWNHILL, MAKING THE ACFT MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, TRAVELED DOWN A SLOPE & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN BRAKE LININGS (CLEVELAND PN 6630) WERE WORN PAST THE RETAINING RIVETS & INTO THE METAL CALIPER. THE EDGE OF THE O-RING PISTON SEAL PROTRUDED PAST THE CYLINDER LIP & WAS BROKEN. ALSO, NO FLUID WAS REMAINING IN THE CYLINDER. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN APRX 129 HRS SINCE NEW BRAKE LININGS WERE INSTALLED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 EDT
Nearest AirportRutherford-County (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length4400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN2135F
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 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data