Pilot Debrief

Aeronca 7AC near Concord, GA — 2019-05-27

Final reportERA19TA182
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Date
2019-05-27
Location
Concord, GA, USA
Airport
2GA5
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC
Registration
N1797E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane brake assemblies revealed no anomalies that would have caused the right brake to lock, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he approached the turf runway intending to conduct a full-stop landing. He stated that upon applying the brakes, the right brake “stuck and would not release,” which resulted in the airplane veering right. The pilot attempted to pump the brakes to release the right brake and was unable to regain directional control. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway and impacted trees. A ground scar consistent with skidding of the right tire was observed on the turf leading up to the edge of the road near where the airplane came to rest. The spars of both wings were fractured, and the fractured wing sections were displaced aft. During a postaccident interview, the airplane’s owner reported that the brakes were “very old” and required frequent adjustments and that she had planned to replace them. Review of the airframe logbooks revealed multiple entries related to the right brakes in the 4 years before the accident. Postaccident examination and operational testing of the brake assemblies did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have caused the right brake to lock.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have replaced old brakes before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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