# NTSB CEN09CA310: Luscombe 8E, N2450K, Ozona, TX, May 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2009, 20:00 local (May 21, 2009, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Ozona, TX - Coordinates: 31.65077, -94.86911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6508&lon=-94.8691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 73880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73880/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73880 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA310 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 8E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot had just departed in his tailwheel-equipped airplane from a 6,000-foot-long asphalt runway, and was attempting to land back on the runway. The airplane bounced and the pilot reduced power and tried to make a three-point landing, but the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway. The airplane then veered off the runway, ground-looped and flipped inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative The private pilot had just departed in his tail wheel equipped airplane from a 6,000-foot-long asphalt runway, and was attempting to land back on the runway. The airplane subsequently bounced and the pilot reduced power and tried to make a three-point landing, but the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway. The airplane then veered off the runway, ground-looped and flipped inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2450K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2450K), registered now, S/N 5177, 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: 5177 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clark Dennis L - Registered owner: Clark Dennis L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OZA, Ozona, TX - Destination: OZA, Ozona, TX - Airport: OZA, Ozona Municipal Airport, runway 16 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 290 total, 6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk ## 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 20090520053939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090520053939A), May 20, 2009: Luscombe 8E, Ozona, TX, Substantial damage. During initial take-off in a tail wheel airplane, the pilot decided to do an immediate wheel landing, but he bounced. He then reduced power and settled back to… ## Other investigations on N2450K (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 CHI68D0294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68D0294), Jul 30, 1967: Luscombe 8E (N2450K), Servia, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73880. 317 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.