# NTSB ATL05CA129: Luscombe 8E, N37GH, Orangeburg, SC, June 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2005, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Orangeburg, SC - Coordinates: 33.455001, -80.855278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4550&lon=-80.8553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 13 Columbia - NTSB case key (mKey): 61768 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61768/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a crosswind landing on runway 23 After making a three point landing, the pilot stated that he "lost directional control, and the airplane looped 180 degrees and skidded to the right across the runway". The left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the grass to the right of runway 23. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during this attempted landing. The post-accident examination of the airplane also did not disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2005 at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N37GH, registered to and operated by FDK Luscombe LLC, ground looped and collided with the ground during a crosswind landing at Orangeburg Municipal Airport, Orangeburg, South Carolina. The flight was operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a visual flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Pearson County Airport in Roxboro, North Carolina on June 16, 2005 at 1000. According to the pilot, he was attempting a crosswind landing on runway 23 at Orangeburg Municipal Airport. After making a three point landing, the pilot stated that he "lost directional control, the airplane looped 180 degrees and skidded to the right across the runway". The left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the grass to the right of runway 23. The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that all flight control surfaces were attached, the left landing gear collapsed and the left wing was damaged four feet inboard of wing tip. The pilot did not report any mechanical problem with the airplane during this attempted landing. The post-accident examination of the airplane also did not disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37GH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37GH), registered now, S/N 4683, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4683 - Airframe hours: 3180 - Engines: Continental 90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: FDK Luscombe LLC - Registered owner: FDK Luscombe LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005, 22 hours before - Departed: TDF, ROXBORO, NC - Destination: OGB, ORANGEBURG, SC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OGB, Orangeburg Muni, runway 23, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 137 total, 108 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KOGB ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050616011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050616011349A), Jun 16, 2005: Luscom 8E, Orangeburg, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that on rollout after landing on runway 23 a sudden gust of wind caused him to lose directional control. The aircraft veered off the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.