# NTSB LAX96LA327: Piper PA-28-140, N5480F, Kernville, CA, September 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1996, 12:49 local (19:49 UTC) - Place: Kernville, CA - Coordinates: 35.729679, -118.389617 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7297&lon=-118.3896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29554/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA327 ## Probable cause brake failure due to a stripped brake fitting that allowed the brake fluid to leak out of the system. The failure of maintenance personnel to detect and repair the faulty brake line during the last 100-hour inspection, and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around were factors in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - hydraulic system,line - cross/stripped threaded (cause) - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - fluid,hydraulic - leak (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis After landing, the pilot applied the brakes only to discover that he had no braking action. Nearing the departure end of the runway, he realized he no longer had enough runway to take off and attempted to turn off instead. After leaving the runway, the aircraft struck a pile of rocks. Witnesses stated that the approach and landing seemed normal until it became obvious that the aircraft was neither stopping nor going around. An inspection revealed that a brake line fitting had been stripped and that there was no brake fluid in the system. In the opinion of the aircraft manufacturer, the aircraft was in a position to go around at the time the brake failure was discovered. The runway was clean and dry with no visible skid marks. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1996, at 1249 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N5480F, ran off the runway while landing at the Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the pilot nor his two passengers were injured. The aircraft was rented from Bartlett Aviation, Inc., of El Monte, California, for a personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated about 1120 in El Monte. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he completed a short field approach to the numbers on runway 17. After landing, he rolled out about 1,500 feet before applying the brakes. At that position on the runway he discovered that he had no braking action. As the aircraft neared the departure end, the pilot concluded that he did not have enough runway remaining to takeoff, electing instead to attempt a right turn off the runway. After the turnoff, the aircraft struck a pile of rocks that was located next to the runway. The airport manager at Kern Valley airport witnessed the event. He stated that the approach appeared neither high, fast, nor long. The landing seemed normal until it became obvious that the aircraft was neither stopping nor going around. Another witness, who was also located at the airport, provided the FAA inspector a similar account of the accident. A postaccident inspection by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the left brake 90-degree fitting had threads that were stripped, or were missing. No brake fluid was found in the brake reservoir. The left main gear exhibited some impact damage. There were no skid marks visible on the runway. There were no flat spots visible on either of the main gear tires. The runway was clean and dry and the surface was free of spalling. The aircraft manufacturer's representative stated that, under the conditions described by the pilot, the aircraft was capable of going around from the position on the runway at which the brake failure was discovered. Assuming a maximum gross weight for the aircraft, zero wind, and a density altitude of 4,500 feet, he estimated that the aircraft would have required no more than 1,250 feet of ground roll to successfully complete the maneuver. The pilot stated that he discovered the brake failure at the 1,500-foot point on a 3,500-foot runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5480F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5480F-1997-06-06), registration cancelled 1997-06-06, S/N 287725062 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7725062 - Airframe hours: 7182 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bartlett Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1996, 84 hours before - Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA - Destination: L05 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L05, Kern Valley, runway 17R, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 72 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFL, 41 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 19960902026169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960902026169A), Sep 2, 1996: Piper PA28140, Kernville, CA, Substantial damage. Brake failure on landing roll. Delayed on go around. Unable stop intentionally turned off runway. Hit pile of rocks 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.