# NTSB LAX97LA153: Piper PA-34-200T, N8188X, Healdsburg, CA, April 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1997, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Healdsburg, CA - Coordinates: 38.62981, -122.889999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6298&lon=-122.8900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA153 ## Probable cause The loss of pressure in the landing gear normal brake system for undetermined reasons requiring the pilot to make an intentional ground loop to stop the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - no pressure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot reported that the flight was normal through landing touchdown. When he applied the wheel brakes after landing, both pedals went all the way down. By pumping the brakes he was able to get some braking action from the right brake. It became apparent to him that he would not be able to stop the aircraft on the 2,700-foot-long runway, and there was insufficient runway remaining to go-around. He permitted the aircraft to veer to the right, off the runway, and ground loop in the run-up area. He said that in the two previous landings that morning the brakes functioned properly. The reason for the brake failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1997, at 1255 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N8188X, was substantially damaged when the aircraft went off the end of runway 13 during landing at the Healdsburg, California, airport. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which departed from Red Bluff, California, at 1220. The pilot reported that the flight was normal through landing touchdown. When he applied the wheel brakes after landing, both pedals went all the way down. By "pumping" the brakes he was able to get some braking action from the right brake. It became apparent to him that he would not be able to stop the aircraft on the 2,700-foot-long runway, and there was insufficient runway remaining to go-around. He permitted the aircraft to veer to the right, off the runway, and ground loop in the run-up area. He said that in the two previous landings that morning the brakes functioned properly. The reason for the brake failure was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8188X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8188X), registered now, S/N 34-8070182, built 1980 (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: 348070182 - Airframe hours: 3294 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gordon L. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1997, 15 hours before - Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA - Destination: O31 - Airport: O31, Healdsburg Municipal, runway 13, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 820 total, 511 in this make and model, 820 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: STS, 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 19970406026149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970406026149A), Apr 6, 1997: Piper PA34200T, Healdsburg, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported no brakes on landing. Able pump up right brake. Veered off runway and ground looped to avoid overrun 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.