Accident Overview
On December 1, 2017, at about 1615 eastern standard time, a Champion 7EC, registration N7586E, was substantially damaged during a landing at Jackson County Airport (I18) in Ravenswood, West Virginia. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated by an individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, he performed an uneventful circuit in the traffic pattern. He aligned the airplane with the runway centerline on final approach at 50 mph and executed a three-point landing. As the aircraft slowed, it began to veer to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied left aileron and full left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side. He then applied full power to abort the landing, but after about 60 feet of ground roll, the airplane went down an embankment and came to rest. The pilot egressed without injury and observed tire marks approximately 200 feet long on the runway and an additional 100 feet in the grass before the embankment.
Aircraft Damage
Initial examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, right elevator, and fuselage. The right main landing gear separated from the airplane.
Pilot Information
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records show the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane, as well as a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on July 19, 2016. The pilot reported 1,756 total hours of flight time, with 39 hours in the same make and model. He reported no flight hours in the accident make and model in the 90 days prior to the accident.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was manufactured in 1958 and equipped with a Continental Motors C-90 series, 90-horsepower engine driving a Sensenich fixed-pitch propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed on June 13, 2017, at 2,562.4 total aircraft hours (tachometer 468.5 hours). The last three annual inspections were performed approximately every other year. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 468.5 hours.
Weather Conditions
The 1615 recorded weather observation at Mason County Airport (3I2), Point Pleasant, West Virginia, about 13 nautical miles west, included calm wind, visibility 10 miles, clear skies below 12,000 feet above ground level, temperature 11°C, dew point -1°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of mercury.
Brake Examination
In the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the right brake "seized upon landing." However, examination of the brake system by an FAA inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Both wheels rotated freely with no indication of binding or dragging. Brake drums were smooth, linings intact, no fluid leaks, and no mechanical anomalies were noted. The main tires showed no abnormal tread wear or bald spots.