# NTSB ERA19TA182: Aeronca 7AC, N1797E, Concord, GA, May 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: May 27, 2019, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Concord, GA - Coordinates: 33.044445, -84.43222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0444&lon=-84.4322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA182 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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 novisible 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1797E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1797E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5364, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-5364 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3011.9 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2019, 6 hours before - Departed: 2GA5, Concord, GA - Destination: 2GA5, Concord, GA - Airport: 2GA5, Windrift Aerodrome, runway 35, 3,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 325 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KOPN, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190527005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190527005229A), May 27, 2019: Champion 7AC, Concord, GA, Substantial damage. On may 27, 2019 at approximately 1000 EST, N1797E, a tail wheeled Aeronca 7AC airplane conducting a part 91 flight, was involved in an accident at coordinates… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99502. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477208&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Owner Statement (item 3, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Owner%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 579 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 7, .PDF, 9 photos, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Brake Examination (item 8, .PDF, 8 photos, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Brake%20Examination-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.