Probable cause
The student pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he applied brakes and the airplane veered right. He was unable to correct back to the centerline or brake effectively; the airplane exited the runway and struck an embankment before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right brake torque plate. The right brake became stuck when actuated and sometimes required prying to release. After the torque plate was replaced, the brake functioned without any anomalies.
NTSB analysis
A stuck right brake during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA198 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 24, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fredericksburg, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Shannon (EZF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N80874
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.