Aeronca 7AC N82934 accident near Merritt Island, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse and subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was practicing landings when the airplane veered right after touchdown. The pilot corrected with left rudder and the airplane initially corrected left; however, the right main landing gear collapsed and it then veered sharply right against the application of full left brake and rudder. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in a creek. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right main landing gear attachment point appeared rusty. Metallurgical examination revealed that the front portion of the right main landing gear attachment bracket displayed buckling, bending, cracks on the tension side of the bend, and displacement of material around the hole, consistent with an overload event. Minor surface corrosion pitting was observed on what was left of the outboard portion of the bracket.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA063 for the full record.