Casualties unknown

Runway Excursion Following Brake Grab on Landing (N6694P)

Fair Oaks, CA, US

On February 6, 1983, a Piper PA-24 (registration N6694P) was involved in an aviation accident near Fair Oaks, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion after the right brake reportedly grabbed hard. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A light aircraft veered off the runway after landing, striking a VASI installation due to a suspected right brake malfunction during rollout.

What happened

The pilot reported that he was conducting a normal approach to Runway 18. Upon reaching the threshold, he maintained an airspeed between 70 and 80 mph. After the main wheels touched down on the runway surface, the pilot applied the hand brake to assist in slowing the aircraft.

Shortly after brake application, the aircraft began to yaw sharply to the right. The pilot described the event as feeling like the right brake had grabbed hard unexpectedly. This sudden braking action caused the aircraft to spin approximately 45 degrees off its original heading. The plane continued to skid laterally across the pavement until it departed the runway surface.

The excursion ended when the aircraft struck a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) installation located near the runway edge. Following the impact, the aircraft came to a complete stop approximately 25 feet from the active runway pavement.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion after the right brake reportedly grabbed hard.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42257. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.