# NTSB CHI85LA286: Piper PA-32R-300, N4137F, Appleton, WI, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1985, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Appleton, WI
- Coordinates: 44.269908, -88.259757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2699&lon=-88.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA286

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - worn (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES DURING A FULL STOP LANDING, THE RIGHT BRAKE FAILED. THE PLT THEN MANEUVERED THE ACFT OFF THE PAVED LANDING SURFACE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT TO ROLL TO A STOP. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUT COLLAPSED. THE ACFT THEN SLID INTO A FENCE AND STOPPED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT BRAKE ASS'Y REVEALED EXTREMELY THIN INNER AND OUTER BRAKE PADS. SOME PORTIONS OF THE PADS WERE WORN COMPLETELY AWAY. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE O RING SEAL AROUND EACH BRAKE CYLINDER WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE CYLINDER ASS'Y. THE RIGHT TIRE EXHIBITED HEAVY HYDRAULIC FLUID STAINING. A LOGBOOK ENTRY OF 1/25/85 STATED THAT THE BRAKE LININGS AND SEALS FOR BOTH BRAKES WERE REPLACED DURING THAT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4137F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4137F), registered now, S/N 32R-7680430, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7680430
- Airframe hours: 1558
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neil R. Jacobs
- Registered owner: Neil R. Jacobs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 25, 1985, 51 hours before
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Airport: RLA, Wisconsin Int'L Speedway, runway 3, 4,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 926 total, 723 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850714030989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850714030989A), Jul 14, 1985: Piper PA32R300, Appleton, WI, Substantial damage. Brake failed during rollout. Aircraft struck fence, right gear collapsed. Brake linings worn out, hydraulic leak.

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.

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