What happened
During the landing phase of flight, the pilot experienced a failure of the left wheel brake on a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. The pilot reported that the left brake seized while the airplane was on the ground. This sudden loss of differential braking control caused the aircraft to pivot sharply, resulting in a nose-over incident.
Following the accident, an individual associated with the pilot provided additional context regarding the immediate aftermath. This witness stated that they utilized a screwdriver to manually release the stuck brake mechanism after the event occurred.
The investigation
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a thorough examination of the aircraft to determine the mechanical cause of the brake failure. The inspection process included the complete disassembly of the left brake assembly. Despite the detailed teardown and analysis, the inspector did not identify any pre-existing defects or post-accident damage that would explain why the brake seized.