# NTSB CHI03LA292: Luscombe 8A, N25342, Macon, MO, August 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2003, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Macon, MO - Coordinates: 39.72861, -92.464447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7286&lon=-92.4644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57855/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - 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](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: 5212 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030821021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030821021749A), Aug 21, 2003: Luscom 8A, Macon, MO, Substantial damage. (-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… ## 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 CEN09CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA001), Oct 3, 2008: Luscombe 8A (N25342), Greeley, CO, substantial damage. 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. 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.