N1797E

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.