# NTSB FTW95LA373: Piper PA-60-601P, N8072J, Broomfield, CO, August 31, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1995, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.940376, -105.060989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9404&lon=-105.0610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA373
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA373

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAXI WITH A KNOWN INOPERATIVE BRAKE. A FACTOR WAS PARTIAL BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A LEAKING SEAL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi
  - landing gear,normal brake system - malfunction (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - leak (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

DURING TAXI FOR TAKEOFF, THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED. THE RIGHT BRAKE AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING REMAINED OPERATIVE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAXI BACK TO PARKING USING DIFFERENTIAL POWER. THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RAMP AREA AND STRUCK TWO AUTOMOBILES.

## Factual narrative

On August 31, 1995, at 0800 mountain daylight time, an Aerostar PA-60-601P, N8072J, collided with vehicles while taxiing at Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight and no flight plan was on file.  The flight was preparing for departure to Billings, Montana.

According to the pilot, while he was taxiing for takeoff, the left brake failed.  He was attempting to taxi back to maintenance facilities using differential power for directional control when he lost control of the aircraft and struck two vehicles parked beside the ramp area.

Examination of the aircraft by this investigator and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector provided evidence that the left brake was leaking at the "O" ring seals.  The right brake was firm and functional and the nose wheel steering was functional.

According to the Manager of Windsong Aviation, who maintains the aircraft, with the right brake and nose wheel steering functional, the aircraft was fully controllable.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8072J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5847963257
- Airframe hours: 2568
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald R. Roderick
- Registered owner: Judith S. Roderick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 30 hours before
- Departed: BJC
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,385 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 1 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 19950831049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950831049499A), Aug 31, 1995: Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) Left brake became inop due to loss of fluid. Aircraft then lost directional control capability and hit vehicles while taxiing.

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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