# NTSB CHI01LA126: Piper PA-22-150, N3021Z, Grain Valley, MO, April 14, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2001, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Grain Valley, MO - Coordinates: 39.00003, -94.200981 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0000&lon=-94.2010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 85-02-05 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/85-02-05-R1) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 52140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52140/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA126 ## Probable cause The normal brake system was inoperative due to undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the ditch that the airplane encountered. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain and nosed over following a loss of brake pressure while taxiing for takeoff. He reported that the brakes did not work when he applied them to slow the airplane in order to turn around for takeoff after back taxiing on the runway. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway and continued downhill into a ditch where it rolled onto the right wing. The pilot stated that he applied the parking brake when the airplane was being fueled and the brakes worked properly at that time and when he performed the engine run-up. No brake fluid was found on the hangar floor where the airplane was kept, nor was there any found along the taxi route used by the airplane. The master brake cylinder was disassembled and appeared to be in working order with no leaks. The airplane was placarded in accordance with Airworthiness Directive 85-02-05 R1. The placard states, "NO BRAKING WILL OCCUR IF AIRCRAFT BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE IS PULLED AND HELD." ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3021Z, collided with the terrain and nosed over following a loss of brake pressure while taxing for takeoff at the East Kansas City Airport, Grain Valley, Missouri. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he was back-taxiing on runway 27 when the accident occurred. He reported that the brakes did not work when he applied them to slow the airplane in order to turn around for takeoff. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway and continued downhill into a ditch where it rolled onto the right wing. The pilot stated that he applied the parking brake when the airplane was being fueled and the brakes worked properly at that time. In addition, he reported the brakes functioned normally when he performed the engine run-up. Inspection revealed that there was no brake fluid found on the hangar floor where the airplane was kept, nor was there any found along the taxi route used by the airplane. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Kansas City, Missouri, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane after the accident. The inspector reported that he disassembled the master brake cylinder and appeared to be in working order with no leaks. He reported that he was unable to determine any mechanical reason as to why the brakes would not have functioned. The airplane was placarded in accordance with Airworthiness Directive 85-02-05 R1. The placard states, "NO BRAKING WILL OCCUR IF AIRCRAFT BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE IS PULLED AND HELD." The FAA inspector stated that it is possible for the brake pressure to bleed off enough for the airplane to operate with the parking brake applied. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3021Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3021Z), registered now, S/N 22-6974, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6974 - Airframe hours: 2125 - Engines: Lycoming o-320-a2b 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen W. Marsh - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Grain Valley, MO - Airport: 3GV, East Kansas City, runway 09, 4,500 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 10, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,596 total, 1,516 in this make and model, 1,496 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MKC, 23 nm away ## 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 20010414011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010414011639A), Apr 14, 2001: Piper PA22150, Grain Valley, MO, No damage. (-23)Pilot/owner stated he pulled the aircraft from the hanger and taxied to the fuel pump, where he set the parking brake prior to fueling the aircraft. After… 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.