Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-235 near Albany, OR — 2013-07-07

Final reportWPR13LA322
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Date
2013-07-07
Location
Albany, OR, USA
Airport
S12
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-235
Registration
N8606W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The loss of hydraulic fluid, which rendered the brakes ineffective. The reason for the loss of hydraulic fluid could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing rollout, he applied the brakes but that the airplane failed to stop. The airplane continued about 2,600 ft down the runway, departed the runway surface, and impacted a chain link fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the brake hydraulic fluid reservoir was empty, and an elbow fitting on the right main landing gear brake assembly hydraulic line was found broken; it could not be determined when the elbow fitting broke. The lack of hydraulic fluid rendered the brakes ineffective.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked brake fluid before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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