19990329002819A

Acft lost directional control after landing and flipped over. (From .19) on March 29, 1999, at 1730 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A tailwheel equipped airplane, N1212B, was substantially damageed following a loss of control during the landing roll while landing near Ada, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered and operated by the cyclone trucking company, inc., of madill, Oklahoma. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for title 14 CFR part 91 flight. A flight plan was not filed for the personal cross country flight that originated from the margaritaville airport, near whitesboro, Texas, at approximtely 1645. The 2,600 hour commercial pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he flew to the Ada Municipal Airport to have his 1947 vintage airplane repainted. He further stated that he made a "normal wheel landing" on run 17. The pilot added that after the airspeed decayed and he lost rudder effectiveness, he "got on the brakes prior to letting the tail wheel down." The ensuing deceleration resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest in the inverted pos ition. The airport manager stated that the pilot called the airport's UNICOM station as he approached the airport. The airport manager reported that the winds had been variable from the northeast and southeast most of the afternoon, and at the time of his radio call the pilot was told that the winds were from 070 at 10 knots. The pilot elected to land on runway 17. Examination of the airplane by the pilot and the airport manager revealed structural damage to the vertical stabilizer, the engine firewall and the airframe. The airplane was equipped with the original heel-operated mechanical (non-hydraulic) drum brakes. (From .4) the 2,750 hour commercial pilot stated that he made a 'normal wheel landing' on runway 35. The pilot added that after the airspeed decayed and he lost rudder effectiveness, he 'got on the brakes prior to letting the tail wheel down.' The ensuing deceleration resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest in the inverted position. The airport manager stated that the pilot called the airport's UNICOM station as he approached the airport. The airport manager reported that the winds had been variable from the northeast and southeast most of the af ternoon, and at the time of his radio call the pilot was told that the winds were from 070 at 10 knots. The pilot elected to land straight in to runway 35. Runway 12 was available. (-23)pilot stated that after landing and prior to the tail wheel contacting the runway, he applied the brakes resulting in the aircraft flipping over on its back. Substantial damage was caused to the vertical stablizer and wing.