# NTSB CEN09CA001: Luscombe 8A, N25342, Greeley, CO, October 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 3, 2008, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Greeley, CO - Coordinates: 40.437221, -104.633056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4372&lon=-104.6331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 69216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the lack of remedial action from the flight instructor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was performing a touch-and-go landing to runway 34 in partial completion of a flight review. During the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or failures with the airplane or its systems prior to the accident. The flight instructor took no action during the ground loop. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was performing a touch and go landing to runway 34 (10,000 by 100 feet, asphalt) in partial completion of a flight review. During the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. The right auxiliary wing spar was bent upward, and the right main landing gear was folded under. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or failures with the airplane or its systems prior to the accident. The flight instructor took no action during the ground loop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25342-2024-09-21), registration cancelled 2024-09-21, S/N 1218 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - 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: 1218 - Airframe hours: 5342.2 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2008 - Departed: EIK, Erie, CO - Destination: EIK, Erie, CO - Airport: GXY, Greeley/Weld County Airport, runway 34, 10,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 11, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,422 total, 1,019 in this make and model, 1,352 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 587 total, 58 in this make and model, 537 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGXY, 1 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 20081003851129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081003851129A), Oct 3, 2008: Luscom 8A, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 3rd 2008, at 10:45, N25342, a Luscom 8A, ground looped while performing touch and goes at Greeley Weld county airport (gxy), Colorado. The… ## Other investigations on N25342 (2) 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 CEN23LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA117), Feb 20, 2023: Luscombe 8A (N25342), Guthrie, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB CHI03LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA292), Aug 21, 2003: Luscombe 8A (N25342), Macon, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the rudder, which resulted in directional control not being maintained during the landing. A factor to the accident was the crosswind gust. 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.