Event Details
On September 08, 2013, at approximately 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31P airplane, registration N57JK, experienced a runway excursion during landing at Doylestown, Pennsylvania (DYL). The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that after a normal landing on runway 5, the left brake pedal went to the floor and no braking action was available on the left side. Attempts to pump the brakes to regain left braking were unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and entered the grass. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop.
Investigation Findings
An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the accident site and the airplane. Substantial damage was confirmed to the left wing spar. The left brake was found inoperative during the inspection. Further examination of the wheel brake system revealed a leak at the shaft for the parking brake valve. The inspector reported that this condition allowed air to enter the brake system between the master cylinder and wheel cylinder when the aircraft was pressurized.