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August 27, 1983 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N8448H
Lake Charles, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Lake Charles, LA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N8448H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA410
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 50 FT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AFTER THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED DURING HARD BRAKE INTERMITTENT APPLICATIONS. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE RIGHT BRAKE IN A TIMELY FASHION CAUSED THE ACFT TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHTAND OFF THE RWY. THE PLT THEN APPLIED FULL POWER WHILE SLIDING IN WET SOFT TERRAIN IN AN EFFORT TO FLY OVER THE SMALL TREES IN HIS PATH. REALIZING THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM HE REDUCED POWER JUST PRIOR TO TREE CONTACT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEOPRENE'O'RING ON THE LEFT BRAKE WAS FOUND SPLIT RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE LEFT BRAKE PUCKS WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. HARD BRAKE APPLICATION FORCED THIS 'O'RING OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORN PUCK. FURTHER BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED THE 'O' RING TO BE PINCHED AND LOSE BRAKE FLUID.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 50 FT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AFTER THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED DURING HARD BRAKE INTERMITTENT APPLICATIONS. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE RIGHT BRAKE IN A TIMELY FASHION CAUSED THE ACFT TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHTAND OFF THE RWY. THE PLT THEN APPLIED FULL POWER WHILE SLIDING IN WET SOFT TERRAIN IN AN EFFORT TO FLY OVER THE SMALL TREES IN HIS PATH. REALIZING THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM HE REDUCED POWER JUST PRIOR TO TREE CONTACT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEOPRENE'O'RING ON THE LEFT BRAKE WAS FOUND SPLIT RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE LEFT BRAKE PUCKS WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. HARD BRAKE APPLICATION FORCED THIS 'O'RING OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORN PUCK. FURTHER BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED THE 'O' RING TO BE PINCHED AND LOSE BRAKE FLUID.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest AirportMCFILLEN (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width25 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN8448H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO