# NTSB CEN09CA020: Piper PA-28-181, N764C, Lufkin, TX, October 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2008, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Lufkin, TX - Coordinates: 31.233888, -94.75 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2339&lon=-94.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA020 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a known brake problem. Contributing to the accident were the malfunctioning brake and the rough terrain in the excursion area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing rollout the airplane's right brake failed and the airplane departed the runway into a ditch, and subsequently impacted a fence. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the student pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. During the accident the airplane's wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that prior to initial taxi for the practice flight the airplane's hand brake and right brake pedal felt "spongy." Both became firm after he pumped them several times. Before the engine run-up the student pilot again attempted to activate the hand brake; however, he was only successful after pumping it several times. The pilot then elected to takeoff. ## Factual narrative During the landing rollout the airplane's right brake failed and the airplane departed the runway into a ditch, and subsequently impacted a fence. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the student pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. During the accident the airplane's wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that prior to initial taxi for the practice flight the airplane's hand brake and right brake pedal felt "spongy." Both became firm after he pumped them several times. Before the engine run-up the student pilot again attempted to activate the hand brake; however, he was only successful after pumping it several times. The pilot then elected to takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N764C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N764C-2016-06-10), registration cancelled 2016-06-10, S/N 2843570, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843570 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Maximum Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Maximum Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LFK, Lufkin, TX - Destination: LFK, Lufkin, TX - Airport: LFK, Angelina County Airport, runway 15, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 39 total, 3 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg ## 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 20081011848899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081011848899A), Oct 11, 2008: Piper PA28181, Lufkin, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command of N764C was a student pilot on a solo flight at Lufkin, Angelina co. airport (klfk), practicing takeoffs and landings, he was the… 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.