On March 20, 1991, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N25459) operated by Grant, Warren & Newbury, Fred was involved in an aviation accident near LA Belle, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHEN HE PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the landing roll on grass adjacent to runway 14, the pilot lost control after using the parking brake handle, causing the aircraft to yaw right, collapsing the right main and nose landing gears. The brake line was replaced and the aircraft was flown from the site.
Sequence of Events
During the landing roll on the grass adjacent to runway 14, with a wind from the east at 5 knots, the pilot reached down and pulled the parking brake handle to apply the brakes. Subsequently, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft yawed to the right, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear and the nose landing gear. The aircraft came to rest on the grass.
Damage and Repairs
As a consequence of the right main landing gear collapse, the brake line for that gear broke. The brake line was replaced, and no other brake system components were replaced. The aircraft was repaired and then flown from the accident site to the new owner's facility.
Owner's Statement
The owner stated that the brakes operated normally when using the parking brake handle after the accident.