N2844T

Substantial
None

PIPER PA 34S/N: 34-7250174

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
NTSB Number
GAA17CA093
Location
Denton, TX
Event ID
20161212X71609
Coordinates
33.202220, -97.198059
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight instructor’s decision to continue to taxi the airplane to the parking area with a known brake malfunction, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with a parked airplane. 

Aircraft Information

Registration
N2844T
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
34-7250174
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1972
Model / ICAO
PA 34M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
U S AVIATION GROUP LLC
Address
4850 SPARTAN DR
Status
Deregistered
City
DENTON
State / Zip Code
TX 76207-4547
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the flight instructor in the multi-engine airplane, he occupied the right seat during the instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that during the landing roll, the brakes on his side were inoperative, but the brakes used by the pilot under instruction appeared to function normally. The flight instructor allowed the pilot under instruction to taxi to parking. During the right turn in the parking area, the pilot under instruction was told to apply both brakes, and the airplane started to "pull left". The flight instructor attempted to use differential thrust to arrest the left pull by increasing the right engine speed, but the attempt had no effect. The flight instructor shut down both engines, however, the multi-engine airplane's left wing struck a parked single-engine airplane and came to a stop. The multi-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that the accident could have been prevented if he would have stopped on the taxiway and not entered the parking ramp.

The brake assembly was examined to determine the scope of pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane's brake system, that would have precluded normal operation. It was determined that the right side brake actuator piston "o" ring failed, which decreased hydraulic brake pressure, preventing proper brake function of the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA093