# NTSB BFO90LA035: Luscombe 8A, N71231, Frederick, MD, April 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Coordinates: 39.420989, -77.410316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4210&lon=-77.4103&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 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND USED EXCESSIVE BRAKING TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ACFT VEERED LEFT INTO THE WIND AND THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THE EXCESSIVE USE OF BRAKES, WHICH WERE NEWLY INSTALLED, ATTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71231](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71231), registered now, S/N 2678, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85-8F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-8f) (registry code 17120, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3908968
- Airframe hours: 1998
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilson Rider
- Registered owner: Wilson H Rider
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: 0W7, CHESTERTOWN, MD
- Destination: FDY, FREDERICK, MD
- Airport: FDK, Frederick

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 785 total, 147 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 28 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 19900418010199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900418010199A), Apr 18, 1990: Luscom 8A, Fredrick, MD, Substantial damage. Crosswind gust caused a swerve into wind on landing. Corrected but hit brakes and nosed over.

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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