NTSB Factual Report

On June 28, 2013, at 1400 central daylight time, N4812Y, a Piper PA25-235, sustained substantial damage when it lost control while attempting to land on a dirt road near Salisbury, Missouri. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.

The pilot said he landed the tail wheel-equipped airplane on a dirt road with a left crosswind. As the airplane slowed down, he applied right rudder and brake. The pilot said the right brake was soft and he tried to pump it several times before he elected to go around. He also said the rudder pedal was hitting up against the hopper. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane veered off of the road and into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.

Examination of the airplane revealed that when the right rudder pedal was in the neutral position and the brake was applied, it held pressure. However, when full right rudder pedal was applied and the brake was pressed, it came in contact with the hopper and limited full travel of the brake. It was not determined if this partial extension of the brake would have had sufficient braking action to slow the airplane. It was also unlear as to why the pedal was hitting the hopper. However, even with the limitations of the brake with the rudder pedal fully extended, the pilot said that he had made several uneventful landings prior to the accident and reported no problems with the brakes. He said the accident could have been prevented if he decided to go around sooner.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's reduced braking efficiency and the pilot's subsequent delayed decision to go around, which resulted in a loss of directional control.