N1374HAeronca 15AC · 1949

On July 12, 2013, about 2200 Alaska daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC, N1374H, veered off the left side of runway 34 during landing and struck trees at Talkeetna Village Strip Airport in Talkeetna, Alaska. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed from Summit Airstrip near Cantwell, Alaska, about 2000.

According to the pilot, the airplane's right brake "went soft" during landing and was "ineffective," and the airplane ground looped to the left. Photographs and information provided by the Alaska State Troopers who responded to the scene showed that the airplane struck trees on the west side of the airstrip and sustained damage to the right wing.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector observed the damaged airplane shortly after the accident; however, the airplane was subsequently disassembled and placed into storage before a detailed examination of the brake assembly could be performed.

The pilot stated that the flight was to be the airplane's last flight before permanent storage. The pilot reported that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed April 26, 2005.

Title 14 CFR 91.409 specifies that no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, the aircraft has received an annual inspection and has been approved for return to service by a mechanic with an inspection authorization. Title 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D, contains a general list of items to be checked during an annual inspection, which includes in section (e), the landing gear group, "all units -- for poor condition and insecurity of attachment," "hydraulic lines -- for leakage," and "brakes -- for improper adjustment."