# NTSB NYC04LA221: Piper PA-30, N888LC, Cynthiana, KY, August 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2004, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Cynthiana, KY - Coordinates: 38.376945, -84.283332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3769&lon=-84.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60288/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA221 ## Probable cause The inoperative left main landing gear brake check valve, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,normal brake system - malfunction (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - wind sock/indicator ## Analysis The pilot was conducting the first flight of the airplane after an annual inspection had been performed. The start-up, taxi, and run-up all appeared to be "normal", so the pilot elected to depart. During the takeoff roll, at an airspeed of about 70 knots, the airplane yawed left, departed the runway pavement, and struck a windsock pole. Following the accident, a mechanic examined the brake systems of the airplane, and noted that the left main gear parking brake was improperly connected, and the left main gear brake check valve was inoperative resulting in constant pressure being placed to the left brake calipers. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2004, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N888LC, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport (0I8), Cynthiana, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, destined for Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport (IOB), Mount Sterling, Kentucky. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, an annual inspection of the airplane had just been completed, and the airplane had not yet been flown. The pilot completed a preflight inspection, noted no anomalies, and then boarded the airplane. He started the engines, taxied, and completed the run-up checks. The pilot did not identify any problems with the airplane during the taxi or run-up checks, so he taxied onto the runway, applied the brakes, and set takeoff power. He then released the brakes, and the airplane began to accelerate down runway 11. The takeoff roll progressed without incident until just prior to becoming airborne, at an airspeed of about 70 knots, the airplane yawed to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, but the airplane continued off the runway. He then closed the throttles and applied maximum braking. During the deceleration, the left wing contacted a windsock pole, and shortly afterwards, the airplane came to a stop. Following the accident, the airplane was taken to a repair facility at Highland County Airport (HIO), Hillsboro Ohio. There, a mechanic noted that the parking brake linkage on the left main landing gear was not connected properly. Also, the left main gear brake check valve was inoperative, which resulted in constant pressure being placed to the left brake calipers. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888LC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N888LC), registered now, S/N 30-272, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30272 - Airframe hours: 3548 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rausel Chatfield - Registered owner: Atlas Labor, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 0 hours before - Departed: 0I8, Cynthiana, KY - Destination: IOB, Mount Sterling, KY - Airport: 0I8, Cynthiana-Harrison County, runway 11, 3,852 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,291 total, 1,011 in this make and model, 1,291 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: LEX, 25 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 20040828024029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040828024029A), Aug 28, 2004: Piper PA30, Cynthiana, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was taking off on runway 11 at Cynthiana, KY airport at around 8:30 am local time on 8/28/2004, aircraft veered to left wing struck… 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.