Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 46 350P near Carefree, AZ — 2013-11-07

Final reportWPR14LA050
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Date
2013-11-07
Location
Carefree, AZ, USA
Airport
18AZ
Aircraft
PIPER PA 46 350P
Registration
N60TM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the left brake master cylinder seal, which rendered the left brake inoperative during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing, he applied the brakes and that the left pedal subsequently hit the floor. He attempted to control the airplane with the right brake and left rudder, but, as the airplane slowed, the rudder became ineffective. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck a berm, and the nose landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane's left brake revealed that the left brake master cylinder seal had failed, which rendered the left brake inoperative. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that the brake master cylinders had recently been rebuilt and had accumulated about 40 service hours before the failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after left brake failure was noticed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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