Accident Overview
On January 6, 2010, at 1646 central standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N8448Y, experienced a runway excursion after landing at Auburn-Opelika Airport (AUO) in Auburn, Alabama. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but the private pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. It originated from Thomaston-Upson County Airport (OPN) in Thomaston, Georgia, at 1615.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, after landing on runway 36, he applied the brakes to slow the airplane for a left turn off the runway. Instead, the airplane began a turn to the right, which could not be corrected with left brake application. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest upright on the grass apron.
Pilot Information
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records show that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. However, the pilot had surrendered his certificate to the FAA one month prior to the accident. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on September 8, 2009, at which time he reported 1,386 total hours of flight experience, including 170 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. In the 90 days preceding the accident, he reported 20 total flight hours.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA and maintenance records, the aircraft had accumulated 3,030 total hours at the time of the accident. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on January 1, 2010, at 3,029 hours.
Weather Conditions
At 1655, the weather reported at AUO included clear skies, wind from 280 degrees at 4 knots, visibility of 10 miles, temperature of 3°C, and dew point of -13°C.
Examination Findings
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft at the accident site and found substantial damage to the left wing spar, a twisted fuselage, and collapsed landing gear. A licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic performed a detailed examination of the brakes, reporting that both the left and right brakes turned freely with no dragging and that the brake system appeared to be functional.