# NTSB ATL01LA065: Piper PA-25-235, N9890P, Blakely, GA, June 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 2001, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Blakely, GA - Coordinates: 31.330636, -84.940612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3306&lon=-84.9406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52431/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA065 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, go-around (vfr) - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9890P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9890P-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 25-7556214, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 257405709 - Airframe hours: 3197 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James E. Burch - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 2001, 25 hours before - Departed: Blakely, GA - Airport: Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 26, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 3,220 total, 2,880 in this make and model, 3,160 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: DHN, 31 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010605019639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010605019639A), Jun 5, 2001: Piper PA25235, Blakely, GA, No damage. (-23) Due to the pic's injuries, we are unable to obtain all needed information on this accident. PIC is released from the hospital and recovering slowly.… ## Other investigations on N9890P (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB DEN77DQG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77DQG03), Mar 30, 1977: Piper PA-25 (N9890P), Rogers, NM, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.