# NTSB CEN12LA516: Piper PA-44-180, N586ND, Grand Forks, ND, August 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2012, 23:45 local (Aug 2, 2012, 04:45 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.947223, -97.173614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9472&lon=-97.1736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Fargo - NTSB case key (mKey): 84572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA516 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84572/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84572 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA516 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control during landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. The reason for the loss of directional control could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student and the instructor pilot were conducting a night local training flight. Upon return from the practice area, with the student at the controls, the airplane entered a right downwind for a full stop landing. The landing gear was confirmed down and locked verbally by the student and instructor. The final approach was uneventful, but the touchdown point was long, and the airspeed was fast. Because of the extra speed on landing, the instructor elected to continue to the next runway exit beyond the one he planned to use. The student had initially applied the brakes evenly for the planned runway exit, but the instructor told him to continue to the next exit and to release the brakes to continue without stopping on the active runway. As the student released the brakes, the airplane began to yaw abruptly to the right. The student said that he was not applying any right brake pressure and that the instructor was not on the brakes. Both the instructor and the student added left rudder and left brake pressure in an attempt to maintain directional control and to keep the airplane on the runway. They said that they did not have enough control authority to keep the airplane on the runway. The airplane continued to the right, turned into the grass, and the left main gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane’s flight controls, landing gear system, and brake system did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction or preaccident abnormalities. A review of maintenance activity on the airplane revealed two work orders related to the brake system. On November 28, 2011, both brake discs and linings were replaced. On December 13, 2011, the airplane was inspected because the right brake was reportedely sticking intermittently during takeoff roll and taxi. The student and instructor did not state that there was any crosswind while landing. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2012, approximately 2345 central daylight time, a Piper PA44-180, N586ND, registered to the University of North Dakota, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway after landing on runway 17R at the Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. Both occupants, the certified flight instructor and the pilot under instruction, were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and had originated from GFK at 2150. The student and instructor pilot were conducting a night local training flight. Prior to flying to their practice area, after they conducted several successful landings and takeoffs in the pattern, they proceeded to conduct their planned in-flight training. Upon return from the flight, with the student at the controls, the crew entered a right downwind for runway 17R for a full stop landing. The wind was light on the surface, but stronger from the west at pattern altitude. Landing gear was confirmed down and locked verbally by the student and instructor. During the turn to final, and due to the west wind at altitude, there was a slight overshoot, but the crew was able to become established on final and stabilized. The final approach and touchdown were uneventful, other than the touchdown point was long and the airspeed was fast. The flight instructor had planned to exit the runway at the Bravo exit, but with the extra speed he elected to continue to the next exit. The student had initially applied the brakes evenly for an exit at Bravo, but the instructor told him to continue to the next exit, and release the brakes to continue without stopping on the active runway. As the student released the brakes the aircraft began to yaw abruptly to the right. The student said that he was not applying any right brake pressure and the instructor was not on the brakes. Both instructor and student added left rudder and left brake pressure in an attempt to maintain directional control and keep the airplane on the runway. They said that they did not have enough control authority to keep the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft continued to the right and turned into the grass until the left main gear collapsed. Both throttles were at idle and the gear was confirmed down and locked just prior to landing. After the airplane came to a stop the crew exited uninjured. Structural damage was incurred to the left wing and fuselage behind the cabin bulkhead. Examination of the airplane’s flight controls, landing gear system, and brake system did not show any evidence of mechanical malfunction or preaccident abnormalities. A review of maintenance activity on the airplane revealed two work orders related to the brake system. On November 28, 2011, both brake discs and linings were replaced. On December 13, 2011, the airplane was inspected forreported right brake sticking intermittently during takeoff roll and taxi. A review of maintenance activity on the airplane revealed two work orders related to the brake system. The operator’s maintenance personnel performed a thorough inspection after the accident, but were not able to identify a problem. They inspected the right brake system, which included removal and disassembly of the pilot’s right master cylinder and brake hoses and inspection of the right wheel cylinder piston and linings for possible binding. There was no indication of blockage found within the master cylinder or connecting hoses, and no evidence of scoring of the shaft. The brake disc was true and showed no indication of overheating, and the linings were even with no indication of binding on the pins. The piston moved smoothly with no indication of binding. The copilot’s right master cylinder was not removed for inspection because it had been replaced due to leaking seals since the previous reported occurrence of brake drag on December 13, 2011. The student and instructor did not state that there was any crosswind while landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N586ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N586ND-2017-08-16), registration cancelled 2017-08-16, S/N 4496281, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1H6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1h6) (registry code 42399, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4496281 - Airframe hours: 1148 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: University Of North Dakota - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2012 - Departed: GFK, Grand Forks, ND - Destination: GFK, Grand Forks, ND - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks International, runway 17R, 7,351 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 957 total, 189 in this make and model, 736 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 6 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 20120802017319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120802017319A), Aug 2, 2012: Piper PA-44-180, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. The aircraft had made numerous landings prior to the accident. The PIC and student both stated they experienced a hard right yaw after initial brake release.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84572. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance and Inspection Report (item 2, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20and%20Inspection%20Report-Master.PDF - Email from Operator Concerning Brake Inspections (item 3, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Operator%20Concerning%20Brake%20Inspections-Redacted.PDF - Email from Operator Concerning Maintenance History (item 4, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Operator%20Concerning%20Maintenance%20History-Redacted.PDF 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.