# NTSB ATL87LA043: Luscombe 8A, N71966, Morganton, NC, December 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Morganton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.740417, -81.690147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7404&lon=-81.6901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA043

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - brakes(normal) - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

PLT REPTD DOING LCL FLYING FOR ABOUT ONE HR AFTER DEPT FROM PVT GRASS STRIP. MADE APCH AND LDG AT MORGANTON-LENOIR APT. ON TOUCHDOWN PLT REPTD BOUNCING, AND BEING UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE LT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND LT WING DRAGGED. PLT STATED THAT HE FELT THAT HE MISSED THE LEFT WHEEL BRAKE PEDAL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER FROM RIGHT SWERVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71966 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3393
- Airframe hours: 917
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marcellus M. Forbes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: NC52, MORGANTON, NC
- Destination: MRN, MORGANTON, NC
- Airport: MRN, Lenoir-Morganton, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 34 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## 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 19861212067469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861212067469A), Dec 12, 1986: Luscom STC8LUSCOM, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed hard, bounced and collapsed the landing gear. Pilot not accustomed to aircraft.

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.

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