LAKE CHARLES, LA, USA
N8448H
PIPER PA-28RT-201T
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 50 FT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AFTER THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED DURING HARD BRAKE INTERMITTENT APPLICATIONS. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE RIGHT BRAKE IN A TIMELY FASHION CAUSED THE ACFT TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHTAND OFF THE RWY. THE PLT THEN APPLIED FULL POWER WHILE SLIDING IN WET SOFT TERRAIN IN AN EFFORT TO FLY OVER THE SMALL TREES IN HIS PATH. REALIZING THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM HE REDUCED POWER JUST PRIOR TO TREE CONTACT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEOPRENE'O'RING ON THE LEFT BRAKE WAS FOUND SPLIT RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE LEFT BRAKE PUCKS WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. HARD BRAKE APPLICATION FORCED THIS 'O'RING OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORN PUCK. FURTHER BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED THE 'O' RING TO BE PINCHED AND LOSE BRAKE FLUID.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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