Accident 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) in Concord, Georgia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that had originated from 2GA5 about 30 minutes earlier.
According to the pilot, he approached runway 35 intending to perform a full-stop landing. The airplane touched down normally on the turf runway. When he applied the left brake to initiate a left turn, the brakes did not respond. He then applied the right brake, which "stuck and would not release" despite his attempts to pump the brakes. The airplane veered to the right, departed the runway, crossed a gravel road, and collided with trees.
The pilot later provided a written statement indicating that he applied normal brakes, but the right brake stuck, causing the airplane to veer right.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. 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 noted that his logbooks were lost and that he had not received a biannual flight review for 3 years.
The airplane was a two-seat, tailwheel-equipped Aeronca 7AC manufactured in 1946. The tachometer at the time of the accident indicated 622.97 hours. The most recent annual inspection was completed on May 7, 2019, at a tachometer time of 616.97 hours.
The airplane owner stated that she had planned to replace the brakes, which were "very old" and required frequent adjustments.
Examination Findings
Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest about 100 feet east of runway 35, approximately 1,200 feet beyond the approach end of the 3,200-foot-long runway. A ground scar consistent with skidding of the right tire was observed on the turf leading to the edge of a gravel road near where the airplane stopped. Both wing spars were fractured, and the fractured wing sections were displaced aft.
Review of the airframe logbook showed multiple entries related to the right brakes in the 4 years preceding the accident. These included 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 address differences in brake pedal location.
An examination of the brakes by a mechanic and an 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 found no anomalies that would have caused the right brake to lock.