Piper PA-22-150 accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina, June 16, 2023
On June 16, 2023 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 1960 Piper PA-22-150, registered N3662Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Indian Trail, North Carolina (Indian Trail, North Carolina airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during the landing roll due to a brake failure for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2023 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Indian Trail, North Carolina · Indian Trail, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150, built 1960 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N3662Z · registry record · serial 22-7560
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, after landing about halfway down the 2,350 ft-long runway, the brakes did not respond and he was unable to slow the airplane. The pilot applied full left rudder and aileron to prevent the airplane from going down a hill off the end of the runway. The left wing impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. A visual examination of the brake system did not reveal any anomalies; however, during a functional test, the airplane could roll forward without much resistance when the brakes were applied. A more thorough examination of the brake system could not be conducted due to the disposition of the wreckage, and the reason for the brake malfunction could not be determined based on the available information.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 199.9 hours in all
- Last flight review: April 15, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,425 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 A2B (piston); 3,435 hours total
The flight
- Runway 4/22, 2,350 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from EQY, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KEQY 161253Z AUTO 27008KT 10SM CLR 22/20 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP083 T02220200=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 18, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Correspondence with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.