WPR09CA017

NTSB accident investigation · Piper L-4 · Buckeye, AZ · October 19, 2008

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
October 19, 2008, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
Place
Buckeye, AZ
Injuries
7 uninjured
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N87117Piper L-4N4807FCessna TU206A
Defining events
Taxi-to runway: Ground collisionStanding: Ground collision
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 24, 2008
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
FAA FSDO
Case key
69311

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

Another airplanes total loss of wheel brakes while taxing which resulted in the pilot of the other aircraft colliding with a standing aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the other airplanes low brake hydraulic fluid.

A total loss of wheel brakes while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was low brake hydraulic fluid.

Findings · 5

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

N87117 · Piper L-4

Fluids: hydraulic fluidAircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid levelPiper L-4J: 1 caseAll aircraft: 33 casesProbable cause

N4807F · Cessna TU206A

Landing gear system: brakeAircraft › Aircraft systems · FailureCessna TU206A: 1 caseAll aircraft: 297 casesProbable cause
ActionPersonnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraftCessna TU206A: 1 caseAll aircraft: 111 casesProbable cause
Fluids: hydraulic fluidAircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid levelCessna TU206A: 1 caseAll aircraft: 33 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

N4807F · Cessna TU206A

Analysis

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

Factual narrative

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

The pilot of a Piper L-4 airplane reported that shortly after he started the taxi roll from the parking area, he initiated a shallow turn toward the taxiway. As he reached the taxiway he steered to follow the centerline, however, the airplane continued to turn to the right. He reported, in part, that the left brake inputs were not responsive and the airplane continued to the right and collided with a standing occupied Cessna. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo airline transport pilot of the Piper, or the commercial pilot and five passengers (skydivers) aboard the Cessna, were injured. Post accident examination of the Piper's brake assembly by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of abnormal wear or fluid leaks. The inspectors performed a function test on the brake systems and reported the assemblies did not properly engage when the brake pedals were actuated. The inspectors reported that the brake fluid reservoirs were low. The right side reservoir contained approximately three-quarters of total capacity and the left side reservoir contained approximately one-half of total capacity.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N87117
Reported as
Piper L-4
Category
Airplane
Serial number
13452
Engine
Continental A-65, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Pat Donovan
Registered owner
Pat Donovan
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 1, 2008
Departed
KBXK · Buckeye, AZ
Destination
Blythe, CA
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
KBXK · Buckeye Airport

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N4807F
Reported as
Cessna TU206A
Category
Airplane
Serial number
U206-0507
Engine
Cont Motor TSIO-520-C, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Skydiving · Part 91
Operator
Desert Skydiving Center
Registered owner
Winkler Jeffery L
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal; Unknown
Departed
KBXK · Buckeye, AZ
Destination
KBXK · Buckeye, AZ
Airport
KBXK · Buckeye Airport

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N87117
Age
70
Injuries
None
Certificates
Flight engineer, Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
May 27, 2008
Seat
Rear
Flight hours
26,900 total · 73 in this make and model
Role
Other flight crew, aircraft N4807F
Age
38
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Flight hours
774 total · 12 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day

FAA reports on this event · 2

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.