# NTSB CHI94LA008: Luscombe 8A, N71492, Bristol, IN, October 7, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1993, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Bristol, IN - Coordinates: 41.720245, -85.809394 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7202&lon=-85.8094&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, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA008 ## Probable cause the pilot's abrupt maneuver (intentional swerve) and main gear collapse during the landing roll on a short grass strip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE SIDE SLIPPED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THEN MADE A WHEEL LANDING. DURING ROLLOUT THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY RAISED THE RIGHT WING TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP TOWARDS THE AIRPORT BUILDINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED HE FELT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIP INWARDS SO HE STRAIGHTENED OUT THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FEET OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY IN A CORN FIELD, WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT STATED HE LANDED TO THE NORTHEAST (UPHILL) ON THE 800 FOOT LONG GRASS STRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE OUT OF 240 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, AND THE RUNWAY CONDITION WAS 'DAMP, FRESH CUT.' ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1993, at 0930 hours eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N71492, piloted by a private pilot/airplane mechanic, veered off the left side of the 800 foot long grass runway at the Hatfield airstrip in Bristol, Indiana. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed as it veered into a cornfield. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Nappanee, Indiana approximately 0915 hours. The pilot reported he approached from the southwest, landing (uphill) to the northeast. He stated he side slipped the airplane to the runway threshold, then made a wheel landing. As the airplane rolled out, the pilot intentionally raised the right wing to veer off the left side of the runway towards the airport buildings. The pilot felt the left main landing gear "...tipped inwards..." so he straightened out the ground roll. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway about 30 feet into standing corn, with the left main landing gear folded under. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71492](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71492), registered now, S/N 2919, built 1946 (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: 2919 - Airframe hours: 1606 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Slagel, Dean G. - Registered owner: Slagel, Dean G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1993, 9 hours before - Departed: C03, NAPPANEE, IN - Airport: IN69, Hatfield, runway 4, 800 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 541 total, 39 in this make and model, 433 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19931007044719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931007044719A), Oct 7, 1993: Luscom 8A, Bristol, IN, Substantial damage. On landing roll left main gear folded when pilot veered off runway toward hanger. Stopped in tall corn. ## Other investigations on N71492 (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 CHI70F0260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70F0260), Sep 19, 1969: Luscombe 8A (N71492), Columbus, OH, substantial damage 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.