# NTSB FTW84LA056: Piper PA-34-200T, N31856, Houston, TX, November 11, 1983 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 1983, 16:46 local (22:46 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 19, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 21207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA056 ## Probable cause (aircraft 3) See FTW84LA056A ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) See Cause FTW84LA056A ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The landing gear normal brake system was inoperative due to inadequate maintenance service of aircraft by other maintenance personnel. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PLTS OF 4 ACFT BACK TAXIED SOUTH ON RWY 16/34 TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH OR RWY 34. AT THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY, THE 1ST 3 ACFT HAD TURNED OFF ONTO A RUN-UP AREA & THE 1ST PLT HAD TAXIED INTO THE TAKEOFF POSITON WHEN THE 4TH ACFT ARRIVED. WHEN THE 4TH ACFT, PIPER PA-34, N31856, APPROACHED THE TURNOFF POINT, THE PLT APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES & DISCOVERED THE LEFT BRAKE TO BE INEFFECTIVE. HE RELEASED THE RIGHT BRAKE & UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL POWER & NOSEWHEEL STEERING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AVOID A COLLISION. HIS RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RIGHT WING TIP OF CESSNA 414, N711RT, CAUSING ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE CESSNA, THE RIGHT WING OF N31856 IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF BEECH 95-B55 N25631. N31856 THEN SPUN AROUND & ITS PROPELLERS HIT THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE BEECH'S RIGHT WING & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE LEFT BRAKE WAS EMPTY. AFTER SERVICING, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PLTS OF 4 ACFT BACK TAXIED SOUTH ON RWY 16/34 TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH OF RWY 34. AT THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY, THE 1ST 3 ACFT HAD TURNED OFF ONTO A RUN-UP AREA & THE 1ST PLT HAD TAXIED INTO THE TAKEOFF POSITION WHEN THE 4TH ACFT ARRIVED. WHEN THE 4TH ACFT, PIPER PA-34, N31856, APPROACHED THE TURNOFF POINT, THE PLT APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES & DISCOVERED THE LEFT BRAKE TO BE INEFFECTIVE. HE RELEASED THE RIGHT BRAKE & UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL POWER & NOSEWHEEL STEERING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AVOID A COLLISION. HIS RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RIGHT WING TIP OF CESSNA 414, N711RT, CAUSING ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE CESSNA, THE RIGHT WING OF N31856 IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF BEECH 95-B55, N25631. N31856 THEN SPUN AROUND & ITS PROPELLERS HIT THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE BEECH'S RIGHT WING & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE LEFT BRAKE WAS EMPTY. AFTER SERVICING, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 3) THE PLTS OF 4 ACFT BACK TAXIED SOUTH ON RWY 16/34 TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH OF RWY 34. AT THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY, THE 1ST 3 ACFT HAD TURNED OFF ONTO A RUN-UP AREA & THE 1ST PLT HAD TAXIED INTO THE TAKEOFF POSITION WHEN THE 4TH ACFT ARRIVED. WHEN THE 4TH ACFT, PIPER PA-34, N31856, APPROACHED THE TURNOFF POINT, THE PLT APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES & DISCOVERED THE LEFT BRAKE TO BE INEFFECTIVE. HE RELEASED THE RIGHT BRAKE & UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL POWER & NOSEWHEEL STEERING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AVOID A COLLISION. HIS RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RIGHT WING TIP OF CESSNA 414, N711RT, CAUSING ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE CESSNA, THE RIGHT WING OF N31856 IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF BEECH 95-B55, N25631. N31856 THEN SPUN AROUND & ITS PROPELLERS HIT THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE BEECH'S RIGHT WING & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE LEFT BRAKE WAS EMPTY. AFTER SERVICING, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) THE PLTS OF 4 ACFT BACK TAXIED SOUTH ON RWY 16/34 TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH OF RWY 34. AT THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY, THE 1ST 3 ACFT HAD TURNED OFF ONTO A RUN-UP AREA & THE 1ST PLT HAD TAXIED INTO THE TAKEOFF POSITION WHEN THE 4TH ACFT ARRIVED. WHEN THE 4TH ACFT, PIPER PA-34, N31856, APPROACHED THE TURNOFF POINT, THE PLT APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES & DISCOVERED THE LEFT BRAKE TO BE INEFFECTIVE. HE RELEASED THE RIGHT BRAKE & UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL POWER & NOSEWHEEL STEERING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AVOID A COLLISION. HIS RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RIGHT WING TIP OF CESSNA 414, N711RT, CAUSING ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE CESSNA, THE RIGHT WING OF N31856 IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF BEECH 95-B55, N25631. N31856 THEN SPUN AROUND & ITS PROPELLERS HIT THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE BEECH'S RIGHT WING & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE LEFT BRAKE WAS EMPTY. AFTER SERVICING, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) THE PLTS OF 4 ACFT BACK TAXIED SOUTH ON RWY 16/34 TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH OF RWY 34. AT THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY, THE 1ST 3 ACFT HAD TURNED OFF ONTO A RUN-UP AREA & THE 1ST PLT HAD TAXIED INTO THE TAKEOFF POSITION WHEN THE 4TH ACFT ARRIVED. WHEN THE 4TH ACFT, PIPER PA-34, N31856, APPROACHED THE TURNOFF POINT, THE PLT APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES & DISCOVERED THE LEFT BRAKE TO BE INEFFECTIVE. HE RELEASED THE RIGHT BRAKE & UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL POWER & NOSEWHEEL STEERING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AVOID A COLLISION. HIS RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RIGHT WING TIP OF CESSNA 414, N711RT, CAUSING ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE CESSNA, THE RIGHT WING OF N31856 IMPACTED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING OF BEECH 95-B55, N25631. N31856 THEN SPUN AROUND & ITS PROPELLERS HIT THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE BEECH'S RIGHT WING & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE LEFT BRAKE WAS EMPTY. AFTER SERVICING, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N31856](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31856-2007-11-13), registration cancelled 2007-11-13, S/N 34-7870269, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7870269 - Airframe hours: 1822 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Howard Aviation - Registered owner: Andrew J. Howard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: T04, GEORGETOWN, TX - Airport: AAP, Andrau, runway 34, 4,750 × 50 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N25631](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25631), registered now, S/N TC-1523, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-200) (registry code 17021, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-1523 - Airframe hours: 1255 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fincher & Son Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983 - Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Airport: AAP, Andrau, runway 34, 4,750 × 50 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 3 - Registration: N711RT (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 414A0281 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 subpart F - Registered owner: Rainbow Drilling Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: 4TX6, KILGORE, TX - Airport: AAP, Andrau, runway 34, 4,750 × 50 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N31856; age 27; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 75 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N25631; age 38; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 780 total, 500 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 17 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19831111059301A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831111059301A), Nov 11, 1983: Piper PA34200T, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with two other aircraft during taxi for takeoff. Pilot of N711RT said N31856 taxi speed was fast. - [Accident 19831111059302A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831111059302A), Nov 11, 1983: Beech 95B55, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft was struck by N31856 when in a stationary position awaiting takeoff. 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.