Luscombe 8A N25342 accident, Macon, MO, Aug 21, 2003 · NTSB CHI03LA292

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.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll

Weather condition - crosswindFactor

Weather condition - gustsFactor

Rudder - improper use ofPilot in commandCause

Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll

Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it departed off the right side of the runway during the landing rollout. The pilot stated he performed a three-point landing and after touchdown the airplane encountered a "crosswind gust." The pilot reported that the airplane "veered" to the left and he "over controlled" with right rudder input, resulting in the airplane departing the right side of the runway and traveling down an embankment. The pilot stated the airplane impacted a tree and spun 180 degrees before coming to a stop. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

Factual narrative

On August 21, 2003, at 1530 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N25342, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage while landing on runway 02 (3,300 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at the Macon-Fower Memorial Airport (K89), Macon, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Blosser Municipal Airport (CNK), Concordia, Kansas, at 1250.

According to the pilot's written statement, he performed a three-point landing and after touchdown the airplane encountered a "crosswind gust." The pilot reported that the airplane "veered" to the left and he "overcontrolled" with right rudder input, resulting in the airplane departing the right side of the runway and traveling down an embankment. The pilot stated the airplane impacted a tree and spun 180 degrees before coming to a stop.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

An automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Kirksville Regional Airport (IRK), located 22.2 nm south of the accident site, recorded the following information:

At 1455: Wind 280 degrees true at 6 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; sky clear; temperature 38 degrees Celsius; dew point of 20 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.

At 1555: Wind 350 degrees true at 7 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; few clouds at 8,500 feet above ground level (agl); temperature 38 degrees Celsius; dew point of 21 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury.

Aircraft

Registration: N25342
Reported as: Luscombe 8A
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 1218
Airframe hours: 5,212
Engine: Continental C-85, 85 hp, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · July 8, 2003 · 31 hours before
Departed: CNK · Concordia, KS
Destination: K89 · Macon, MO
Airport: K89 · Macon-Fower Memorial Airport, runway 02, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

N25342Registration cancelled Sep 21, 2024 · Luscombe 8AS/N 1218 Airframe modelLuscombe 8A Engine modelContinental A&C65 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 73
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review: November 23, 2001
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 1,323 total · 916 in this make and model · 1,254 as pilot in command · 21 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 350° at 7 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
Observed at: IRK, 22 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.

Accident 20030821021749ALuscom 8A · Macon, MO(-23) The pilot was approaching Macon, MO (K89) from the west as thunderstorms were forming in the vicinity. The airplane touched down on runway 20 with all three wheels. The aircraft began to swerve to the left due to strong and gusty winds. The pilot stated…Aug 21, 2003 · N25342 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N25342 · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB CEN23LA117Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGuthrie, OKThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.Feb 20, 2023 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09CA001Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGreeley, COThe 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.Oct 3, 2008 · Substantial damage