Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 253; Flight Crew Type 18
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
General Evacuated
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I was on final approach for Runway XX into ZZZ. The winds were 100 at 6 and I configured the aircraft with two notches of flaps and was approaching around 65-70 kts. Prior to my landing; a 767 landed and a Cessna Citation departed. I planned to land to avoid the wake turbulence. I applied proper crosswind correction on final and I successfully avoided the wake and touched down where I desired to. The main gear touched down and then followed the nose gear. Suddenly the aircraft veered to the left and the right wheel lifted off the ground. I lowered the right wheel and made it a priority to keep the aircraft straight and have all the wheels on the ground. After ensuring that; the aircraft began to drift to the left and exited the runway into the grass. I then shut down the engine and kept communicating with ATC until the trucks arrived. I am unsure to why this happened; but after examining the tire marks; I believe the left brake might have either locked up or became stuck; causing the situation. I am confident that I did not have too much crosswind correction or accidentally tapped the brake upon touchdown. I believe this could've been a problem with the aircraft. Prior to this landing; I completed a touch and go with no issue. After a thorough debrief with the Chief Instructor of the flight school and pending inspection by the mechanic; we concluded that there was no action that I could've taken differently.
C-172 pilot reported departing the runway surface after landing due to suspected brake malfunction.