# NTSB ERA23LA281: Piper PA-22-150, N3662Z, Indian Trail, NC, June 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2023, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Indian Trail, NC - Coordinates: 35.120979, -80.587289 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1210&lon=-80.5873&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192499/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192499 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA281 ## Probable cause A loss of control during the landing roll due to a brake failure for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, after landing about halfway down the 2,350 ft-long runway, the brakes did not respond and he was unable to slow the airplane. The pilot applied full left rudder and aileron to prevent the airplane from going down a hill off the end of the runway. The left wing impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. A visual examination of the brake system did not reveal any anomalies; however, during a functional test, the airplane could roll forward without much resistance when the brakes were applied. A more thorough examination of the brake system could not be conducted due to the disposition of the wreckage, and the reason for the brake malfunction could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2023, about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3662Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he applied the brakes after landing about halfway down the 2,350 ft-long runway, but they did not respond and he was unable to slow the airplane. The pilot applied full left rudder and aileron to prevent the airplane from going down the hill at the end of the runway. The left wing impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings; the left wing strut was bent, and the outboard portion of the right wing was also damaged. The brake system visually appeared intact and contained hydraulic fluid, but during a functional test of the brakes, the airplane was able to roll without much resistance. A follow-up examination of the brake system could not be completed due to the disposition of the wreckage. According to the inspector, the pilot informed him about one month after the accident that the O-rings were bad; however, the inspector’s examination had not revealed any evidence of brake fluid leakage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3662Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3662Z), registered now, S/N 22-7560, built 1960 (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: 22-7560 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 3425 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 28A, Indian Trail, North Carolina, runway 4/22, 2,350 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 199.9 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: EQY, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KEQY 161253Z AUTO 27008KT 10SM CLR 22/20 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP083 T02220200= ## 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 20230616009089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230616009089A), Jun 16, 2023: Piper PA-22-150, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. On 06/16/2023 at ~0945 at 28A (Goose Creek) a PA-22-150 Piper tri-pacer departed 28A to the NE via rwy 4 returning to 28A after approx. 10 minute local flight.… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192499. 10.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17492955&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - correspondence with pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17494452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR_NTSB%20Statement%20Regarding%20PIlot%20Communications-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement summary (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17494340&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Inspectors%20Statement%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17492850&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpt (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17492965&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17494350&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N3662Z-Rel.pdf 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.