CHI96LA230

The pilot reported that when she applied brakes to slow the airplane during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The airplane continued off the runway until came to rest after contacting an embankment. Inspection of the accident site revealed the airplane exited the runway 1,500' from the approach end of the runway. It then traveled 430' prior to contacting the embankment were it came to rest. Inspection of the brake system failed to reveal any anomalies which would have prevented normal operation.

On July 5, 1996, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8352H, registered to Donnallen Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during a landing roll on runway 27 at the Porter County Municipal Airport, Valparaiso, Indiana. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Valparaiso, Indiana.

The pilot reported that she took off with the intention of flying the traffic pattern and returning for a landing. She reported that after touching down on runway 27 (6,000' x 150') she applied the brakes to slow the airplane in order to turn off the runway. She stated that when she applied the brakes the airplane veered to the right and she "could not get the left brake to compensate." The airplane veered off the right side of the runway where it came to rest after contacting an embankment.

Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, South Bend, Indiana, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the accident site and the airplane. They reported that the airplane departed the runway 1,500' from the approach end of the runway. The airplane then traveled 430' off the right side of the runway prior to contacting the embankment. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 075 degrees. An inspection of the airplane brakes failed to reveal any anomalies which would have prevented normal operation.