# NTSB NYC83LA222: Piper PA-22 Tripacer, N600A, Butler, PA, August 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 21:45 local (Aug 21, 1983, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Butler, PA
- Coordinates: 40.860214, -79.88916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8602&lon=-79.8892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total (cause)
  - hydraulic system,seal - leak (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - loss,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN OFF THE RWY INTO A 4 FT DITCH AND NOSED OVER WHILE TAXIING. THE PLT SAID THE 'BRAKES GAVE WAY' WHILE HE WASTAXIING DOWN RWY 17 AFTER LANDING. WHEN HE REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BY THE MIXTURE CONTROL. TO AVOID GOING ONTO A HIWAY THE PLT TURNED LEFT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR HIT A DITCH AND THE ACFTNOSED OVER. THE BRAKES WERE EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THEY WERE SOFT AND SPONGY WHEN APPLIED. HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VENT HOLE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DIAPHRAGM HAD SPLIT IN THE CYLINDER CAUSING LOSSOF FLUID AND BRAKING ACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N600A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N600A), registered now, S/N 22-3, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 TRIPACER (PA-22 TRIP)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1983
- Airport: 3G9, Butler-Row, runway 18, 2,590 × 38 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830820045369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820045369A), Aug 20, 1983: Piper PA22, Butler, PA, Substantial damage. Brake master cylinder failed during taxi for takeoff. Aircraft left the taxiway and overturned in a ditch.

## Other investigations on N600A (1)

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 NYC70FGM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70FGM04), Jan 17, 1970: Piper PA-22 (N600A), Jeannette, PA, 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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