# NTSB ERA11CA281: Luscombe 8E, N1902K, Apex, NC, May 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2011, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Apex, NC - Coordinates: 35.74139, -78.92472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7414&lon=-78.9247&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Greensboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79036/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79036 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive application of the brakes, which caused the airplane to nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 he was conducting a full-stop landing. He executed a normal landing, lowered the tail and was rolling fast. The airplane was on the center line with 300 to 400 feet of runway remaining. He stated that he applied the brakes aggressively, which lifted the tail and caused the propeller to strike the ground. The airplane then flipped over and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and wings. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot stated that he was conducting a full stop landing. He executed a normal landing, lowered the tail and was rolling fast. The airplane was on the center line with 300 to 400 feet of runway remaining. He stated that he applied the brakes aggressively, which lifted the tail, and caused the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft then flipped over and came to rest inverted substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and wings. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1902K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1902K), registered now, S/N 4629, 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: 4629 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2011, 4 hours before - Departed: Parkton, NC - Destination: NC11, Apex, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: NC11, Deck Airpark, runway 04, 1,950 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 53 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 11 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 20110503007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110503007109A), May 3, 2011: Luscombe 8E, Apex, NC, Substantial damage. At approximately 1415 on 05/03/11, N1902K landed at NC11, a private grass air field. On roll out pilot applied brakes and aircraft nosed over with propeller… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79036. 291 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; FAA Inspectors Statement. (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20FAA%20Inspectors%20Statement.-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.