# NTSB ATL99LA039: Luscombe 8-A, N1231K, Palmetto, FL, January 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 7, 1999, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Palmetto, FL - Location: 27.6426° N, 82.5199° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MANATEE (48X), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6426&lon=-82.5199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45588/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA039 ## Probable cause The failure of the wheel fairing attach bolts that resulted in the loss of control during the landing roll when the fairing became lodged under the left wheel. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet - Nose over, other ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the first few landings he had felt a vibration. On the accident landing, the left wheel faring failed and went under the wheel. The airplane skidded approximately 30 feet and nosed-over damaging the prop, windshield, right wing, and the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the airplane revealed that there were no mechanical failures. The left wheel faring attach screws on the inside had sheared off, and the attach bolt on the outside had pulled through the fiberglass on the faring. The same damage was noted on the right faring except that it remained partially attached. Additionally, there were tire marks in the grass and sand made by the left and right main tires, which indicated that the brakes were applied at a slow speed. The marks terminated at the point were the airplane nosed-over. ## Factual narrative On January 7, 1999, about 1645 Eastern Standard Time, a Luscombe 8-A, N1231K, nosed-over during landing at the Manatee Airport, in Palmetto, Florida. The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane had departed Manatee Airport about 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, during the first few landings he felt a vibration. On the accident landing, the left wheel faring failed and became lodged under the left main wheel during the landing roll. The pilot applied right rudder in an attempt to maintain directional control, but the airplane continued to veer left. The airplane skidded approximately 30 feet and nosed-over on the runway. The nose-over damaged the prop, windshield, right wing, and the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the airplane revealed that there were no mechanical failures. The left wheel faring attach screws on the inside had sheared off, and the attach bolt on the outside had pulled through the fiberglass on the faring. The same damage was noted on the right faring except that it remained partially attached. Additionally, there were tire marks in the grass and sand made by the left and right main tires, which indicated that the brakes were applied at a slow speed. The marks terminated at the point were the airplane nosed-over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1231K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1231K), registered now, S/N 3958, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8-A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3958 - Airframe hours: 3207 - Engines: Continental A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven C. Walters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1998, 28 hours before - Departed: 48X - Airport: 48X, Manatee, runway 7, 3,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 123 total, 28 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SRQ, 10 nm away ## 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 19990107000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990107000359A), Jan 7, 1999: Luscom 8A, Palmetto, FL, Substantial damage. Aft left wheel pant rolled around under the wheel on landing. Other circum stances are unknown. (From .4) on January 7, 1999, about 1645 eastern standard time,… ## Other investigations on N1231K (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC66D0580](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0580), May 28, 1966: Luscombe 8A (N1231K), Aurora, MO, substantial damage 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.