Piper PA-28-161 N47881

Summary

On 18 October 2000 at about 16:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N47881 was involved in an accident near Jesup, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 October 2000 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Jesup, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Jesup-Wayne County (JES)

Coordinates

31.6605, -81.9305

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161

Registration

N47881

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jesup → Lawrenceville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

MIA01LA009

2 people had minor injuries.

A total failure of the wheel braking system due to the pilot's improper use of braking in downwind, downhill conditions, resulting in overheated brakes, and subsequent encounter with a downslope and terrain collision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot made the statement, which was substantiated by an aircraft inspector witness, that he was taxing eastbound on runway 10 for a westbound depart on runway 28. The wind was about 8 knots on his tail, the taxi route was downhill, and he had full fuel, one passenger, and luggage for two aboard. When he came to the run-up area for runway 28, his brakes failed and the aircraft ran off the hardtop and down a 35 to 45-degree embankment. Examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the cowling, propeller, a collapsed nose gear, and lower longeron buckling. Postacrash, the brakes operated normally, but showed sings of extreme heat.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.