GAA15LA019

The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll, he applied both heel brakes. When the pilot released the brakes, the right brake did not release. The airplane veered right of the landing path on the dirt airstrip, and the left wing struck a power line pole. During postaccident examination, the brakes operated normally with no anomalies noted.

On March 9, 2015, about 1800 Central date time, an Aeronca 7AC airplane, N83643, had a main landing gear right brake malfunction during the landing at a private dirt airstrip in Garrison Iowa. The airplane was operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the pilot and sole passenger were not injured. The airplane was stopped after the left wing contacted a power line pole. The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll he applied both heel brakes. When the pilot released the brakes he reported that the right brake did not release. The airplane veered to the right of the landing path and the left wing contacted a power line pole. The airplane sustained substantial to its left wing. An FAA Certificated Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic identified normal operation of the brake during the airplane's recovery. At the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge, on April 13, 2015 the brake assembly was disassembled and re-inspected by an FAA A&P Mechanic. No mechanical anomalies were found, and the brake operated normally before and after the inspection.