# NTSB FTW83LA410: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8448H, Lake Charles, LA, August 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Coordinates: 30.129507, -93.269828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1295&lon=-93.2698&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): 21038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA410
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA410

## 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 - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 50 FT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AFTER THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED DURING HARD BRAKE INTERMITTENT APPLICATIONS. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE RIGHT BRAKE IN A TIMELY FASHION CAUSED THE ACFT TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHTAND OFF THE RWY. THE PLT THEN APPLIED FULL POWER WHILE SLIDING IN WET SOFT TERRAIN IN AN EFFORT TO FLY OVER THE SMALL TREES IN HIS PATH. REALIZING THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM HE REDUCED POWER JUST PRIOR TO TREE CONTACT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEOPRENE'O'RING ON THE LEFT BRAKE WAS FOUND SPLIT RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE LEFT BRAKE PUCKS WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. HARD BRAKE APPLICATION FORCED THIS 'O'RING OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORN PUCK. FURTHER BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED THE 'O' RING TO BE PINCHED AND LOSE BRAKE FLUID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8448H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8448H-1990-02-20), registration cancelled 1990-02-20, S/N 28R8231005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8231005
- Airframe hours: 569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.J. Pumpelly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1982, 79 hours before
- Departed: ESF, ALEXANDRIA, LA
- Airport: 4R0, Mcfillen, runway 17, 3,500 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 159 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F

## 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 19830827045649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830827045649A), Aug 27, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Lake Charles, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft and it collided with trees during landing. Right brake malfunctioned.

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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