# NTSB CHI94LA285: Luscombe 8E, N2501K, Hettinger, ND, August 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1994, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hettinger, ND
- Coordinates: 45.999813, -102.629844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9998&lon=-102.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA285

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of the wheel brakes.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported a normal touchdown and landing roll.  He said he began using brakes about two thirds of the way down the runway and the airplane nosed over.  During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that he probably applied the brakes too hard, or they hung up.  An operational check of the wheel braking system revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On August 14, 1994, at 1000 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8E airplane, N2501K, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at the Fordahl Airport, near Hettinger, North Dakota.  The private pilot reported no injuries.  The personal flight originated about 0950 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was filed for the local flight.

The private pilot reported that he conducted a normal touchdown and landing roll.  He said he began using brakes about two thirds of the way down the runway and the airplane nosed over.  During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that he probably applied the brakes too hard, or they hung up.

The FAA Inspector examined the airplane and reported substantial damage to the vertical fin, aft fuselage, and right lift strut.  No evidence of preexisting airframe or engine malfunction was noted.  An operational check of the wheel braking system revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2501K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2501K), registered now, S/N 5228, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5228
- Airframe hours: 889
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keith D. Fordahl
- Registered owner: Fordahl, Albert H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1994, 1 hours before
- Airport: INDI, Fordahl Airport, runway 31, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 21 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Observed at: DIK, 40 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 19940814021489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940814021489A), Aug 14, 1994: Luscom 8E, Hettinger, ND, Substantial damage. Used too much brake on landing roll. The tailwheel aircraft nosed over on the runway.

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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