# NTSB CHI86LA229: Piper PA-28-181, N3072L, Greenwood, IN, September 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1986, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, IN
- Coordinates: 39.61016, -86.10955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6102&lon=-86.1095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA229

## 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)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - reduced
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BRAKE PADS ON THE AIRCRAFT WERE ALLOWED TO WEAR BEYOND THEIR LIMITS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE RIGHT BRAKE CYLINDER MOVED OUT PAST ITS LIMIT AND RELEASED THE O-RING. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE RIGHT BRAKE. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE, WHILE ON LANDING ROLLOUT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE HAD NO RIGHT BRAKE, BUT FULL LEFT BRAKE, WHICH LEFT HIM WITH A LACK OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT STEERED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN WHERE THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3072L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3072L), registered now, S/N 28-7990264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287790264
- Airframe hours: 2475
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Ludenback
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1986
- Departed: 5I4, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Airport: 5I1, Skyway, runway 18, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 13 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 11 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 19860914046149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860914046149A), Sep 14, 1986: Piper PA28181, Greenwood, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed aircraft to depart the side of the runway after brake failure. Brake pads worn beyond limits.

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.