History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Piper Navajo Chieftain, departed St. Anthony on a scheduled 28-minute flight to Mary's Harbour, Newfoundland. After landing at Mary's Harbour, the aircraft departed nine minutes later for a short flight to Fox Harbour, eight miles east. Touching down on runway 05 at Fox Harbour about 200 feet beyond the threshold, the co-pilot, who was pilot flying, applied the brakes. Initial brake application resulted in normal braking, but subsequent applications led to progressively greater brake pedal travel and less braking response. The captain, pilot not flying, took control and ground looped the aircraft to avoid overrunning the airstrip and descending a 75-foot rock embankment. The flight crew and three passengers evacuated uninjured.
Injuries to Persons
The crew of two and three passengers sustained no injuries. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing event. The left main landing gear downlock failed, causing the gear to collapse. The left engine propeller struck the ground, and the left wing panels were visibly wrinkled on the outboard six feet. The left flap, left stabilizer, elevator, and fuselage structure below the main cabin door were also damaged.
Other Damage
There was no other damage.
Personnel Information
The pilot in command held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, aged 25, with 4,000 total flying hours and 1,200 hours on type. The co-pilot held a Commercial Pilot Licence, aged 26, with 2,500 total flying hours and 1,200 hours on type. Both had flown 300 hours in the last 90 days, with 180 and 300 hours on type respectively. The captain was on duty for 2 hours prior, the co-pilot for 4 hours, with 12 and 38 hours off duty respectively.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, serial number 317405221, was manufactured in 1974. It was equipped with two Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD engines and two Hartzell HC-E3YR-2ATF propellers. Total airframe time was 9,368 hours. The maximum allowable take-off weight was 7,250 lb (modified), with a maximum landing weight of 7,000 lb. The aircraft weight and centre of gravity during the Fox Harbour landing were within limits; however, the landing weight at Mary's Harbour exceeded the maximum landing weight by 125 pounds.
Meteorological Information
The Mary's Harbour automated weather system reported 1,300 feet scattered clouds, visibility five miles in rain showers, and light winds. The flight crew reported Fox Harbour weather as visibility three miles in rain showers, fog patches, and light variable winds.
Aerodrome Information
Fox Harbour airport has a 2,200-foot by 75-foot gravel runway. A 100-foot soft gravel surface extends beyond the departure end of runway 05, followed by a 75-foot rock embankment.
Flight Crew Actions
During the landing, proper verbal transfer of control did not occur; the captain took control and identified no braking action. The captain called "overshoot" but did not advance the throttles, then decided insufficient runway remained and ground looped the aircraft. The flight crew used an on-off-on braking technique (pumping brakes) after touchdown, believing it reduced wear. This technique, accepted by some of the operator's pilots, resulted in less constant brake pressure, potentially allowing brake fluid to boil more easily. The operator had no Standard Operating Procedure manual for this aircraft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The ground loop overloaded the left main landing gear downlock, causing collapse. The left propeller struck the ground, and the left wing, flap, stabilizer, elevator, and fuselage were damaged. Post-occurrence brake examination revealed no external leaks. Brake pedal response was spongy. The main wheel brake discs were excessively coned: left disc 0.139 inches, right disc 0.054 inches (manufacturer limit 0.015 inches). This coning indicated higher-than-normal temperatures and likely caused brake drag, reduced efficiency, and increased pedal travel. Left brake linings had been replaced the previous day; right linings showed greater wear. Residual heat from the Mary's Harbour landing, combined with the braking technique, likely caused brake fluid to boil, leading to failure.