19971118034189A

Approach was too fast touched down late applied brakes hard. Skidded off runway nosed over bottom of embankment. (.4)while on final approach 20 mph above the normal approach speed, the airplane floated and landed past the 1/3 portion of the runway. During the landing roll the pilot applied the brakes but the left brake locked up and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway then nosed over. Post accident examination of the right brake revealed that the brake to rotor clearance was greater than the adjustment limits. No determination could be made as to the reason for the left brake malfunction; however, when the airplane was uprighted and towed from the accident site, the left brake remained engaged. (-23)on November 17, 1997, privacy data omitted, a certificated pilot and owner/operator of aircraft registration number N45018, departed greenville, TN. At about 1430 EST enroute to Avery county airport, located near Spruce pines, NC. While landing at Avery county airport, the aircraft skidded off the left side of the paved 3,000 feet runway and came to rest upside down at the b ottom of a steep embankment. Substantial damage to the aircraft was evident during an inspection of the vertical stabilizer which was crushed at the top half when the aircraft flipped over and came to rest upside down. Also, an area on the lower right wing leading edge (inboard) experienced damage to the skin and ribs. The prop tips were bent when they contacted the runway during braking action. Several hash marks were observed in the runway pavement where the prop struck. There were other areas of minor damage which were observed and the photographed by the inspector. The investigation inspector received two conflicting accounts of how this accident occurred. The first account was obtained on November 21, 1997, during an interview with the pilot which was conducted at the accident site. During this interview the pilot told the inspector that he approached the runway too fast, 100 knots, verses the usual 80 knots. Additionally, the pilot indicated he did not touch down until after passing the first one-third the usual 80 knots. Additionally, the pilot indicated that he believed he applied the brakes harder on the left which caused the aircraft to pull to the left and leav e the runway, further stating that he believed the brakes functioned properly. The second account was obtained on November 25, 1997, in the form of a hand written letter by the pilot. The letter indicated that his approach and landing were normal up to the point of applying his brakes, once applied, the left brake locked up and pulled the aircraft off the left side of the runway flipping it over onto it's back. This office does not have enough compelling evidence to establish which account mentioned above, is factual. However, it is known that the aircraft came to rest only 120 feet shy of the end of the runway. Additionally, at about 500 foot remaining mark on the runway, their was evidence that both brakes had been applied hard as there were skid marks and chunks of pavement missing where the prop contacted the pavement. privacy data omitted