# NTSB MIA85LA131: Piper Aerostar 600, N79CM, Fort Myers, FL, March 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1985, 07:58 local (12:58 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.560777, -81.869926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5608&lon=-81.8699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED WITH BOTH MAIN WHEEL BRAKES LOCKED AS EVIDENCED BY SKID MARKS IN THE TOUCHDOWN ZONE OF THE RWY. AFTER APRX 200 FEET OF SKIDDING THE LEFT BRAKE RELEASED AND DUE TO THE RIGHT BRAKE NOT RELEASING THE PLT LOST CONTROL. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND BOTH MAIN LANDING GEARS COLLAPSED. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT BOTH MAIN TIRES HAD SKID MARKS ON THEM AND THAT THE RIGHT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. ADDITIONALLY, BOTH BRAKES HAD EVIDENCE OF HAVING BEEN EXTREMELY OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THE BRAKE MATERIAL HAD MELTED AWAY. THE BRAKE PRESSURE SUPPLY SYSTEM APPEARED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE PLT STATED THAT ON HIS LAST TAKEOFF THE ACFT ACCELERATED SLOWLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79CM-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 60-0009, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-0009
- Airframe hours: 2507
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Top Flight Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 21, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FMY, Page Field, runway 5, 6,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 48 in this make and model, 4,470 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19850325009409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850325009409A), Mar 25, 1985: Piper PA60600, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control when right brake locked on landing. Departed side of runway where main gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N79CM (2)

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.

- [NTSB MIA85IA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85IA021), Oct 30, 1984: Piper PA-60 (N79CM), Jacksonville, FL, incident, minor damage
- [NTSB MIA81FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA070), May 6, 1981: Aerostar 600 (N79CM), Orlando, FL, substantial damage

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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