Probable cause
The failure of the left brake master cylinder seal, which rendered the left brake inoperative during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing, he applied the brakes and that the left pedal subsequently hit the floor. He attempted to control the airplane with the right brake and left rudder, but, as the airplane slowed, the rudder became ineffective. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck a berm, and the nose landing gear collapsed.
Postaccident examination of the airplane's left brake revealed that the left brake master cylinder seal had failed, which rendered the left brake inoperative. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that the brake master cylinders had recently been rebuilt and had accumulated about 40 service hours before the failure.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA050 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 7, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Carefree, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Sky Ranch At Carefree (18AZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 46 350P
- N-number
- N60TM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1989
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.