CHI00LA259

The pilot said that during landing roll out, the airplane's brakes did not seem to have the 'normal response.' The pilot said he applied 'heavy pedal' just before reaching the end of the runway. The airplane went through a split-rail fence and stopped. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. An examination of the runway showed tire marks, beginning approximately 600 feet from the departure end of the runway. The tire marks proceeded left off of the runway, then right, across the runway, until ending at the end of the runway.

On August 17, 2000, at 1045 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 172M, N80310, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during landing, the airplane departed runway 28 (4,157 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt), at Harbor Springs Municipal Airport, Harbor Springs, Michigan, and struck a fence. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Harbor Springs, Michigan, at 1030 edt.

In his written statement, the pilot said that during landing roll out, the airplane's brakes did not seem to have the "normal response." The pilot said he applied "heavy pedal" just before reaching the end of the runway. The airplane went through a split-rail fence and stopped.

Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane at the Harbor Springs Municipal Airport. The airplane's right strut was bent inward. An upward bulge was observed in the top skin of the right wing, above the right strut attach point, at the forward spar. One propeller blade was bent aft at the tip. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent upward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's engine and other systems revealed no anomalies.

Tire marks were observed beginning approximately 600 feet from the departure end of the runway (3,500 feet down from the approach end of the runway). The marks progressed left off of the runway, then went right, across the runway, until ending at the end of the prepared surface of runway 28. A 4 foot tall fence post in the airport's perimeter fence, just off the end of runway 28, was broken.