# NTSB CEN14LA220: Piper PA 34-200, N56755, Spring, TX, April 25, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2014, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Spring, TX - Coordinates: 30.063333, -95.553054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0633&lon=-95.5531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89127/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89127 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA220 ## Probable cause The loss of right brake effectiveness during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103405), [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-34-200, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was flying the airplane and demonstrating a short-field landing during the instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that, after the airplane touched down about 90 mph, the right brake pedal went full forward, and the brakes were not slowing the airplane. He pumped the brake pedal several times to build pressure in the lines but was not successful. The pilot receiving instruction checked his brake pedals and confirmed that the right brake was not working. The flight instructor then shut down both engines when the airspeed was about 60 mph and subsequently lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane then drifted off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower aft fuselage and lower forward empennage. An examination of the brakes the day after the accident did not reveal any problems with the right brake; however, it could not be determined whether the brake system had been serviced or repaired following the accident. A photograph of skid marks on the runway showed that the skid marks for the left main landing gear (MLG) tire seemed to be darker than the skid marks for the right MLG tire. The evidence indicates that the right brake likely lost effectiveness during the landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control; however, the reason for the brake's loss of effectiveness could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2014, about 1825 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200 multi-engine airplane, N56755, was substantially damaged during landing at David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH), Spring, Texas. The three occupants were not injured. The airplane was registered to BAT Aviation, Inc.; Spring, Texas, and was being operated by United Flight Systems, Inc.; Spring, Texas. Day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.The flight instructor was manipulating the flight controls and demonstrating a short-field landing. After the airplane touched down at about 90 mph, the flight instructor retracted the flaps and then discovered the right brake pedal went full forward and was not slowing the airplane. He proceeded to pump the brake several times to try and build pressure in the lines, but was not successful. The pilot receiving instruction checked his brake pedals and confirmed the right brake failure. The flight instructor reported that he then shut down both engines when the airplane's speed was about 60 mph. Directional control was lost and the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch at an estimated impact speed of about 20 mph resulting in substantial damage to the lower aft fuselage and lower forward empennage. A photograph of skid marks of the main gear tires over the asphalt pavement showed that the skid marks for the left main gear tire seemed to be darker than the skid marks for the right main gear tire which were lighter in intensity. An examination of the brakes on the following day by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose a problem with the right brake, however it was unclear whether the brake system had been serviced or repaired following the accident. At 1753, the official surface weather observation site at DWH, reported wind from 120 degrees at 5 knots, visibility of 10 miles, and few clouds at 6,500 feet. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed that, at the accident location, at 1825, the altitude of the sun was about 18 degrees above the horizon and the azimuth of the sun was about 275 degrees. Apparent sunset occurred at 1956. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56755](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56755), registered now, S/N 34-7450029, built 1973 (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: 34-7450029 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 11348 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING I0360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: United Flight Systems Inc, doing business as United Flight Systems Inc - Registered owner: Bat Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2014, 7 hours before - Departed: DWH, Spring, TX - Destination: DWH, Spring, TX - Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks Memorial, runway 17L, 3,987 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; 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 December 3, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,045 total, 10 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 218 total, 0 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KDWH ## 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 20140425011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140425011639A), Apr 25, 2014: Piper PA-34-200, Spring, TX, Substantial damage. N56755, a PA-34-200 operated by united flight systems flight school, when he attempted to land at David Wayne Hooks Airport, which resulted in an accident. The… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89127. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Summary of Findings (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Findings-Master.PDF - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 402 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.