# NTSB CHI94LA009: Luscombe 8F, N801B, Benton, KS, October 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1993, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Benton, KS
- Coordinates: 37.779804, -97.100425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7798&lon=-97.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA009

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PROXIMITY OF THE DITCH TO THE RUNWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS.  DURING A LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT.  THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DRIFT WITH LEFT RUDDER, BUT GOT HIS FOOT CAUGHT ON THE HEEL BRAKE.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT.  AS THE STUDENT TRIED TO GET THE AIRPLANE BACK ON THE RUNWAY, IT STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED-OVER.

## Factual narrative

On October 4, 1993, at 1800 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N801B, sustained substantial damage when it departed runway 16 during landing roll, hit a ditch, and nosed-over, at the Benton Airport, Benton, Kansas.  The solo student pilot was not injured.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  During the landing roll, the airplane began to drift to the right.  He said he attempted to correct the drift with left rudder, but his left heel got caught on the heel brake and the airplane departed the runway.  When he attempted to get the airplane back on the runway it hit a small ditch and nosed-over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N801B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N801B), registered now, S/N 6731, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8F
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6731
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur W. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special)
- Departed: 1K1
- Destination: 1K1
- Airport: 1K1, Benton Muni, runway 16, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 20 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 19931004037839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931004037839A), Oct 4, 1993: Luscom 8F, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. Lost directional control. Veered off runway. Hit a small ditch and nosed over.

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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