NTSB Factual Report

On December 29, 2004 at 1030 central standard time, a Champion 7GCAA, N9588S, registered to and operated by the private pilot collided into a ditch during landing roll on runway 21, at the Talladega Municipal Airport in Talladega, Alabama. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Murray, Kentucky at 0735, on December 29, 2004.

According to the pilot, upon making a three-point landing the airplane veered aggressively to the right. He applied full left rudder with no success. He then applied full power to possibly regain rudder control with no success. He stated that the airplane continued to the right crossing a taxiway and collided with a drainage ditch before coming to a stop.

Examination of the airplane found 8-inches of one propeller blade separated, both main landing gear sheared off and the under-belly and wing struts were damaged. The pilot did not report any flight control problems prior to landing. Examination of the right main landing gear by a local Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic found that the brake pucks were new and that the right main wheel had some drag to it from the new brakes. However, he continued to say that the wheel and brake were not locked, it simply would not "turn freely."

The pilot stated that he recently got his tailwheel sign-off and had accumulated about 23 hours of total time in this airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The binding right wheel brake that resulted in a loss of control during landing roll. A factor was the drainage ditch.