Primary finding
Probable cause
The partial failure of the right brake due to a leaky brake line.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Upon landing, the airplane started to turn to the right and the pilot applied left rudder and left brake and corrected the turn. The airplane then began to turn left and the pilot applied right brake and rudder. The right brake did not respond and the airplane ground looped. The right main gear collapsed and the right wing struck the runway. A pressure check and examination of the right brake system showed a leak from an original PIPER manufactured brake line that was connected to the master cylinder.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 6, 1995, at 1815 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-17 airplane, N4492H, registered to Ross Nixon and operated by the pilot, ground looped during landing at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Dutch Harbor for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private certificated pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, during the landing roll the airplane began to veer gently to the right and he corrected by applying left rudder. The airplane then began to veer to the left and he applied right rudder. When the airplane did not respond, he applied right brake. The application of the right brake had no effect on the ground track of the airplane. The airplane continued to turn to the left and the right main gear collapsed. The right wing dragged the ground. A pressure check and examination of the brake system showed that the brake line leading to the master cylinder was leaking. The brake line was an original Piper manufactured brake line. -