Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-31P near Doylestown, PA — 2013-09-08

Final reportERA13LA409
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Date
2013-09-08
Location
Doylestown, PA, USA
Airport
DYL
Aircraft
PIPER PA-31P
Registration
N57JK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A leaking parking brake valve, which allowed air to enter the left brake line and resulted in the eventual failure of the left wheel brake during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

Following a normal landing, the pilot felt no wheel braking action on the left wheel, and the brake pedal went to the floor. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and traveled into the grass. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop, sustaining structural damage to the left wing spar. Postaccident examination confirmed that the left brake was inoperative and revealed a small hydraulic fluid leak at the shaft of the parking brake valve in the pressurized section of the cabin. Air likely entered the brake line at the area of the leak while the cabin was pressurized, rendering the left brake inoperative.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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