PA-25 Pawnee
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24; Flight Crew Total 7600
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Human Factors
The following is a recap of my inaugural flight in the PA-25 Pawnee. After an instructional briefing at the hangar and taxi to the runway; I was authorized to take the aircraft for a flight. I departed the airport with calm winds and no restrictions to visibility or ceilings. After performing a few minutes of upper air work I entered the pattern and planned to touch down on the paved portion of the runway; my plan was to let the aircraft roll out past the paved portion (1;500 x 20 FT) and onto the dirt portion of the runway. Approach was made at approximately 75-80 MPH with 0 flaps and I touched down on the main gear at approximately 60-65 MPH followed by the tail wheel. Shortly after landing the aircraft started pulling to the right which I corrected with left pedal; the aircraft continued pulling to the right off the paved (20 FT) section of the paved runway onto the packed dirt portion (approximately 100 FT each side). At this point; I applied full left pedal and brakes but the aircraft continued pulling to the right of the runway coming to a stop along the right side. As the aircraft came to a stop; the propeller struck the raised embankment bordering the runway causing the engine to come to an immediate stop. Post flight inspection revealed damage to the propeller and tail wheel. Also; the right main wheel brake was leaking brake fluid at the wheel. Aircraft pulled to right off the paved portion of the runway possibly because the right main gear was on the dirt portion with the left still on the paved (20 FT wide) portion or because the right main brake pulled the aircraft right due to the brake fluid leakage at the wheel.
PA25 pilot experiences a runway excursion after landing with the aircraft pulling to the right and departing the right edge of the runway despite full left rudder and brake. Damage occurs to the propeller and tailwheel and the right brake is found to be leaking fluid.