# NTSB ERA11CA199: Luscombe 8E, N2790K, Taunton, MA, March 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2011, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Taunton, MA - Coordinates: 41.871112, -71.009719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8711&lon=-71.0097&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 June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78599/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78599 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA199 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent application of the brakes during recovery from a ground loop which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190112), [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 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to prepare for a biennial flight review. The approach and landing were uneventful; however, on the landing roll, at taxi speed, a strong crosswind gust, which exceeded rudder authority, causing the airplane to ground loop. The pilot applied the brakes which resulted in the airplane nosing over incurring substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage sections. The pilot stated that the wind was variable from 030 to 300 degrees gusting from 12 knots to 22 knots, and there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the flight was in preparation for a biennial flight review. The approach and landing at the intended airport was uneventful. While on the landing roll, at taxi speed, with all three wheels on the ground, a strong crosswind gust, which exceeded rudder authority, started the airplane to ground loop. The pilot applied the brakes resulting in the airplane flipping over on the runway incurring substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage sections. The pilot stated the winds were variable from 030 to 300 degrees gusting from 12 knots to 22 knots, and there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2790K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2790K), registered now, S/N 5517, 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: 5517 - Airframe hours: 8010 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2010 - Departed: 08R, West Kingston, RI - Destination: TAN, Taunton, MA - Airport: TAN, Taunton, runway 30, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 381 total, 100 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: TAN ## 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 20110319003529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110319003529A), Mar 19, 2011: Luscombe 8E, East Taunton, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot had landed runway 30 and had rolled out with all three gears on the ground for approximately 200-300 feet when a wind gust from the north caused the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78599. 759 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 700 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Record of Conversation with the Pilot, from the Federal Avaition Administration Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot,%20from%20the%20Federal%20Avaition%20Administration%20Inspector.-Redacted.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.