# NTSB IAD01LA088: Grumman American AA-5B, N28665, Marietta, PA, August 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2001, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Marietta, PA - Coordinates: 40.091945, -76.574165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0919&lon=-76.5742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53160 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53160/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies. Also causal was the loss of brake pressure, which resulted in the failure of the right brake, and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot reported that he knew the right brake was "soft," prior to his intended departure, "but he felt it would be ok for this flight." As the pilot taxied to the runway for departure, the right brake "failed" and the airplane traveled off the end of the runway and down a 10-foot embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right brake lining was worn "significantly," which permitted the brake cylinder to extend beyond its limits, and the brake fluid to seep past the cylinder seal. Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was performed 11 months prior to the accident. No maintenance had been performed to the brakes since that date. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2001, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N28665, was substantially damaged during taxi at the Donegal Springs Airpark (N71), Marietta, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot immediately after the accident. According to the inspector, the pilot said he knew the right brake was "soft" prior to his departure. He also said he tested the brakes during a taxi test, and the right brake was "still soft, but he felt it would be ok for this flight." During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that as he attempted to turn the airplane onto runway 27 for departure, the right brake "failed," and the airplane traveled off the end of the runway and down a 10-foot embankment. An FAA inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the right brake lining was worn "significantly," which permitted the brake cylinder to extend beyond its limits, and the brake fluid to seep past the cylinder seal. Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was performed on September 4, 2000. No maintenance had been performed to the brakes since that date. Additionally, the pilot did not respond to several requests made to obtain the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: N28665 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5B0739 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: York Travelers Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 2000 - Departed: N71, Marietta, PA - Destination: N71 - Airport: N71, Donegal Springs Airport, runway 28, 3,250 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MDT, 10 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 20010829028469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010829028469A), Aug 29, 2001: Amrgen AA5B, Marietta, PA, No damage. (-23) Right brake failed during back taxi on runway for takeoff. Aircraft drifted left off runway and over a ten foot embankment. Aircraft sustained… 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.