# NTSB ERA10CA334: Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N1516B, Gordonsville, VA, June 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2010, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Gordonsville, VA - Coordinates: 38.156112, -78.165832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1561&lon=-78.1658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA334 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control, and his excessive braking during the landing rollout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, during the landing roll on runway 23, he overcompensated for a left crosswind and the tailwheel-equipped airplane departed the right side of the runway. The student pilot also stated that he applied brake pressure “too forcefully,” and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and tail section. The student pilot further reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. He also reported 82 hours of total flight experience, 25 of which were in make and model. The winds reported around the time of the accident, about 8 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 170 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, during the landing roll on runway 23, he overcompensated for a left crosswind and the tailwheel-equipped airplane departed the right side of the runway. The student pilot also stated that he applied brake pressure “too forcefully,” and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and tail section. The student pilot further reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. He also reported 82 hours of total flight experience, 25 of which were in make and model. The winds reported around the time of the accident, about 8 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 170 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1516B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1516B-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 6143, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6143 - Airframe hours: 5470 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2010 - Departed: KGVE, Gordonsville, VA - Destination: KGVE, Gordonsville, VA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KGVE, Gordonsville Municipal Airport, runway 23, 2,300 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 25 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KOMH, 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 20100626037009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100626037009A), Jun 26, 2010: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, Gordonsville, VA, Substantial damage. The student pilot was practicing landings on runway 23 in VMC conditions with a light crosswind from the left. According to the pilot at about 1100 local, on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76443. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo (courtesy of FAA): aircraft at accident site (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)%3A%20aircraft%20at%20accident%20site-Master.PDF 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.