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NTSB Report

June 5, 2001 · Piper PA-25-235 · N9890P

Blakely, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Blakely, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N9890P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL01LA065

The pilot had flown to a nearby field to apply fertilizer but elected to return to the airstrip behind his home due to thunderstorm activity in the immediate vicinity of the planned spray operation. Upon arriving at the home airstrip, the pilot established an approach to land on runway 15. After touchdown, the pilot reported that he applied both brakes to stop the airplane. During the braking action the right brake suddenly failed. He stated he was unable to stop the airplane with the left brake. With approximately 800 feet of runway surface remaining, the pilot elected to abort the landing and chose to take off. During the attempted takeoff, the airplane cleared a fence and flew under power lines. The airplane collided with trees approximately 500 feet from the runway as the pilot maneuvered to avoid a collision with his home. After the airplane collided with the trees, it rolled inverted, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the airframe sustained extensive fire damage. Reportedly, the fire destroyed the right wheel brake assembly and it was not functionally examined. According to Piper 25-235 performance data, at the landing and stall speed of 46 mph, the landing roll at gross weight is about 850 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to go-around after a reported loss of right brake pressure during the landing roll resulted in the in-flight collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On June 5, 2001, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N9890P, collided with the ground and burst into flames while attempting a climb out from an aborted landing in Blakely, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The exact departure time of the flight from Blakely, Georgia, was not determined. According to the pilot, he had flown to a nearby field to apply fertilizer and was returning to the airstrip behind his home due to thunderstorm activity in the immediate vicinity of the planned spray operation. The airplane was loaded with 1,000 pounds of fertilizer. Upon arriving at the home airstrip, the pilot established an approach to land on runway 15. After touchdown, the pilot reported that he applied both brakes to stop the airplane. During the braking action the right brake suddenly failed. He stated he was unable to stop the airplane with the left brake. With approximately 800 feet of runway surface remaining, the pilot elected to abort the landing and chose to take off. During the attempted takeoff, the airplane cleared a fence and flew under power lines. However, the airplane collided with trees approximately 500 feet from the runway as the pilot maneuvered to avoid a collision with his home. After the airplane collided with the trees, it rolled inverted, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the airframe sustained extensive fire damage. Reportedly, the fire destroyed the right wheel brake assembly and it was not functionally examined. According to Piper 25-235 performance data, at the landing and stall speed of 46 mph, the landing roll at gross weight is about 850 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN9890P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data