# NTSB ERA11CA053: Luscombe 8A, N71102, Hot Springs, VA, November 6, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 6, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Hot Springs, VA
- Coordinates: 37.951389, -79.833885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9514&lon=-79.8339&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77770/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77770
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/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: [Luscombe 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he maneuvered the airplane into a slip configuration while on final approach in an effort to compensate for a crosswind. He landed on runway 25 with using a wheel-landing technique, where the main landing gear touchdown first and the tail gear follows during the landing roll. During the roll out, as the airplane slowed, a gust of wind struck its right side. The airplane began to veer to the right and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with full left rudder and opposing aileron. The airplane continued to veer to the right and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. As a result of the accident sequence, the airplane incurred damage to the left wing, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 14, gusting to 19 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was compensating for a crosswind final approach by positioning the tailwheel-equipped airplane into a "steady slip." He landed on runway 25 with a “wheel landing technique,” and during the rollout, as the airplane slowed, a gust of wind struck its right side. The airplane began to veer to the right, and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with full left rudder and opposing aileron, but the airplane continued to veer to the right. The pilot was about to add power "to get some prop blast over the rudder and increase its authority," but the airplane skidded, flipped over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 14, gusting to 19 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71102](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71102-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 2529, 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: 2529
- Airframe hours: 790
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 2010
- Departed: OKV, Winchester, VA
- Destination: HSP, Hot Springs, VA
- Airport: HSP, Ingalls Field Airport, runway 25, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 840 total, 600 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: HSP

## 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 20101106050519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101106050519A), Nov 6, 2010: Luscombe 8A, Hot Springs, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing on runway 25, was rolling out and slowing down when he was caught by a gust of wind. Pilot stated that the aircraft was going to the…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77770. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports: HSP METARs (item 4, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20HSP%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Photo #1: Damage to Left Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo #2: Damage to Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%232%3A%20Damage%20to%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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