# NTSB ERA13CA286: Luscombe 8A, N71232, Orangeburg, SC, June 13, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 13, 2013, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Orangeburg, SC
- Coordinates: 33.387779, -80.911109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3878&lon=-80.9111&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 July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87197/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87197
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA286

## Probable cause

The inadvertent slippage of the pilot's foot off the right rudder pedal, resulting in a loss of directional control on the ground, and the pilot's overly aggressive application of wheel brakes, resulting in a nose over.

## Findings

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

- [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)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 landed the airplane on the runway and his foot slipped off the right rudder pedal, resulting in a swerve to the left. He applied wheel brakes to slow the airplane, and thought that he might enter a pond at the end of the runway. He applied the brakes aggressively, and the airplane nosed over. A post accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on the runway and his foot slipped off the right rudder pedal, resulting in a swerve to the left. He applied wheel brakes to slow the airplane, and thought that he might enter a pond at the end of the runway. He applied the brakes aggressively, and the airplane nosed over. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substatial damage to the left and right wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71232](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71232), registered now, S/N 2659 (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: 2659
- Airframe hours: 1701
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John P. Subbe
- Registered owner: John P. Subbe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2012, 25 hours before
- Departed: 1DS, Orangeburg, SC
- Destination: 1DS, Orangeburg, SC
- Airport: 1DS, Dry Swamp Airport, runway 20, 2,900 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 22, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,350 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: OGB, 1 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 20130613012779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130613012779A), Jun 13, 2013: Luscombe 8A, Cordova, SC, Substantial damage. On June 13, 2013 at approximately 1210 aircraft was turned over as a result of excessive breaking. Pilot stated that his foot slipped off of the right rudder…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87197. 5.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 640 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot's Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Damage to Left Wing and Strut (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20and%20Strut%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Damage to Vertical Stabilzer (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Vertical%20Stabilzer%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Damage to Fuselage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Damage%20to%20Fuselage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.