# NTSB ATL88LA039: Piper PA-34-200, N41298, Murfreesboro, TN, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1987, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Coordinates: 35.850322, -86.39022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8503&lon=-86.3902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA039

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,normal brake system - worn (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - directional control - reduced (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE RT WHEEL BRAKE FAILED WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS TAXIING ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NEAR THE END OF THE TAXIWAY, JUST AS THE PLT WAS ABOUT TO TURN THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE RWY. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIRPLANE USING DIFFERENTIAL POWER. THE AIRPLANE CROSSED THE RWY AND RAN INTO TREES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE PLT PULLED THE MIXTURE CONTROLS TO IDLE CUTOFF JUST BEFORE THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE RWY. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO ONE OF THE WINGS. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE RT BRAKE REVEALED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AWAY. THE ACFT RPTDLY UNDERWENT AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ABOUT 1 MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41298](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41298-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 34-7450106, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7450106
- Airframe hours: 2569
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Coastal Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Johannes Van Ovost
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1987, 59 hours before
- Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 250 in this make and model, 790 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19871114069729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871114069729A), Nov 14, 1987: Piper PA34200, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. Left brake failed turning onto the runway. Veered off runway and crashed into trees. Found brake pads were wornout.

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.

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