# NTSB CHI07CA171: Luscombe 8A, N2850K, Columbia, IL, June 15, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 15, 2007, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, IL
- Coordinates: 38.451946, -90.240837
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4519&lon=-90.2408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA171

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, causing a ground loop, subsequent runway excursion, and left main gear collapse. Factors in the accident include the ground loop encountered and the depression.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot was making a full stop landing to a grass airstrip (2,400 feet by 150 feet, dry turf). After the airplane landed, it ground looped and exited the right side of the runway. The left main gear hit a depression and subsequently collapsed.

## Factual narrative

The aircraft was substantially damaged when the left main gear collapsed after landing on runway 03 (2,400 feet by 150 feet, turf). The pilot stated that he was practicing touch and go landings earlier in the flight and decided to make his last landing to a full stop. After the airplane landed, it veered to the right. The pilot corrected with left rudder but the airplane continued to turn to the right. The airplane departed the right side of the runway into a bean field, the left wheel hit a depression, and the left main gear subsequently collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2850K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2850K-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 5577, built 1947 (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: 5577
- Airframe hours: 1770
- Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Lenahan
- Registered owner: St Louis Sport Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007
- Departed: H49, Columbia, IL
- Airport: H49, Columbia, runway 03, 2,400 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 273 total, 21 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KCPS, 8 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 20070615010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070615010329A), Jun 15, 2007: Luscom 8A, Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing touch and go landings on runway 03 at Sackman airport (H49). On the sixth landing he was making a full stop. He stated that he…

## Other investigations on N2850K (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 GAA16CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA307), Jun 12, 2016: Luscombe 8 (N2850K), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, failure of the tailwheel suspension leaf spring, a ground loop, and substantial damage to the left wing.

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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