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May 27, 2019 · Aeronca 7AC · N1797E

Concord, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Concord, GA
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC (1946)
Tail Number
N1797E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19TA182

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.

NTSB 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.

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2019, at 1000 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N1797E, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion while landing at Windrift Aerodrome (2GA5), Concord, Georgia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from 2GA5 about 30 minutes earlier. The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who arrived on scene after the accident, that he approached runway 35 intending to conduct a full-stop landing. He stated that the airplane touched down normally on the turf runway and that when he "tapped the left brake" to make a left turn, the brakes did not respond. He then tapped the right brake and stated that "it stuck and would not release," despite his attempts to pump the brakes. The airplane continued to veer right, departed the runway, crossed a gravel road and collided with trees. According to the pilot's written statement, he applied normal brakes; however, the right brake "stuck" and the airplane veered to the right. According to the airplane owner, she had planned to replace the airplane's brakes, which were "very old" and required frequent adjustments. According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in June 2010, at which time he reported 325 flight hours. In his written statement, the pilot reported that his logbooks were lost and that he had not received a biannual flight review for 3 years. According to FAA airworthiness records, the two-seat tailwheel-equipped airplane was manufactured in 1946. The tachometer located in the airplane at the time of the accident indicated 622.97 hours. The most recent annual inspection was completed May 7, 2019, at a tachometer time of 616.97 hours. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the airplane came to rest about 100 ft east of runway 35, about 1,200 ft beyond the approach end of the 3,200-ft-long runway. A ground scar consistent with skidding of the right tire was observed on the turf leading up to the edge of the gravel road near where the airplane came to rest. The spars of both wings were fractured, and the fractured wing sections were displaced aft. Review of the airframe logbook revealed multiple entries related to the right brakes in the 4 years preceding the accident, including replacement of the right cylinder, repair of the right master cylinder support rod, cleaning of the disc pads, pressure plates and cylinder assembly, and repair of the brake cylinder bracket to remove the difference in the location of the brake pedal. Examination of the brakes by a mechanic and FAA airworthiness inspector revealed normal operation and no visible damage; however, the right brake caliper showed signs that an internal seal had been leaking. Further examination of the brake calipers revealed no anomalies that would have caused the right brake to lock.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWindrift Aerodrome (0nm E)
Runway35
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 7AC
Tail NumberN1797E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data