Landing and Excursion
The pilot landed a Piper PA-28-180 on a 1,900-foot-long turf runway. A witness reported that the airplane touched down approximately 300 feet past the approach end of the runway. Before stopping, the airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and into trees, resulting in substantial damage.
Brake System Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane and found that the brake reservoir was empty. The airplane had received its annual inspection on July 2, 1997.
Pilot Reports
The pilot reported that during previous flights, the brakes felt spongy but that he could remedy the problem by pumping the brakes several times. Interviews revealed that the pilot had not informed the mechanic about the spongy brake condition and continued to operate the airplane with defective brakes.