Summary
On April 29, 2007, a Piper PA-28-201T (N28989) was involved in an incident near Westminster, MD. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
According to the FAA, the pilot was making touch-and-go landings on runway 34 (5,100 ft X 100 ft, asphalt). The pilot said that when he landed, the left brake "stuck" and caused the left tire to skid. He said the nose gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. After examining the airplane, the FAA inspector said the nose wheel assembly had sheared off, breaking the weld in the mount area in the forward bulkhead, necessitating the replacement of the firewall. The inspector could find no discrepancies with the brake system. His report indicated "no binding or sticking" and the brakes worked normally. "The piston in the left caliper worked freely and the caliper could float.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN07CA091. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N28989.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the FAA, the pilot was making touch-and-go landings on runway 34 (5,100 ft X 100 ft, asphalt). The pilot said that when he landed, the left brake "stuck" and caused the left tire to skid. He said the nose gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. After examining the airplane, the FAA inspector said the nose wheel assembly had sheared off, breaking the weld in the mount area in the forward bulkhead, necessitating the replacement of the firewall. The inspector could find no discrepancies with the brake system. His report indicated "no binding or sticking" and the brakes worked normally. "The piston in the left caliper worked freely and the caliper could float. There were no flat spots or damage noted on the left tire to indicate a brake may have stuck or was dragging." The brake lining, however, was considerably worn.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN07CA091