Incident Overview
A student pilot, accompanied by a certified flight instructor (CFI), conducted a night landing on Runway 27. The runway, with a length of 3,500 feet, was available for the approach. The student pilot touched down approximately 1,500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway.
Pilot Reports
Both the student pilot and CFI reported that the brakes did not appear to function properly upon touchdown. The CFI instructed the student pilot to abort the landing. As the airplane neared the departure end of the runway, it seemed to lose lift. The CFI then assumed control of the airplane and executed a forced landing in a field.
Investigation Findings
When investigators asked about skid marks present at the end of the runway, the pilots stated that the brakes seemed ineffective at touchdown but appeared to engage later, toward the end of the runway.
An examination of the wreckage was conducted by the aircraft owner, an independent maintenance facility, and a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The examination did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunction of the braking system.