# NTSB ERA12CA140: Luscombe 8A, N77859, Umatilla, FL, January 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 7, 2012, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Umatilla, FL - Coordinates: 28.921112, -81.651107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9211&lon=-81.6511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82635/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82635 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA140 ## Probable cause A failure of the left main landing gear due to a preexisting crack and corrosion, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/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 The pilot stated that upon touchdown on the runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane drifted to the left. The pilot applied right rudder to correct, but the airplane continued to travel to the left and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane contacted a ditch and nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and left wing. Postaccident examination revealed that the left main landing gear leg had collapsed and exhibited severe corrosion and evidence of a preexisting crack. The pilot also reported that the main gear strut failed because of cracks and corrosion. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was landing to refuel during a pleasure flight. He reported that after touchdown on the runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began drifting to the left. The pilot applied right rudder to correct, but the airplane continued to travel to the left and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane contacted a ditch and nosed over coming to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and left wing. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left main landing gear leg had collapsed and exhibited severe corrosion and evidence of a preexisting crack. The pilot reported that there were no other mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77859-2014-05-14), registration cancelled 2014-05-14, S/N 3586 (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: 3586 - Airframe hours: 3362 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wheeler John W - Registered owner: Wheeler John W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2011 - Departed: DED, DeLand, FL - Destination: DED, DeLand, FL - Airport: X23, Umatilla Municipal Airport, runway 19, 2,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 7, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,666 total, 469 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: VVG, 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 20120107002729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120107002729A), Jan 7, 2012: Luscombe 8A, Umatilla, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed runway 18, exited left side of runway approximately 1000 feet from approach end, through ditch, and stopped inverted alongside runway.… ## Other investigations on N77859 (2) 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. - [NTSB MKC75DTK21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DTK21), Jun 6, 1975: Luscombe 8A (N77859), Hoven, SD, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC66D0404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0404), Nov 21, 1965: Luscombe 8A (N77859), Fessenden, ND, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82635. 869 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Courtesy FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Gear leg corrosion and fracture (Courtesy FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Gear%20leg%20corrosion%20and%20fracture%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.