# NTSB ERA22LA012: Luscombe 8A, N4581M, Winchester, VA, October 9, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 9, 2021, 14:22 local (18:22 UTC) - Place: Winchester, VA - Coordinates: 39.143528, -78.144444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1435&lon=-78.1444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104091/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104091 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot’s misapplication of brakes during the landing roll which resulted in a nose-over event and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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/owner stated the pilot in the right seat completed the landing but had applied “too much forward stick.” He assumed control of the airplane, and while performing remedial actions, he had applied too much brake pressure, which resulted in the airplane “slowly” nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The pilot/owner and his copilot were wearing 4-point harnesses and were unhurt, but the airplane was substantially damaged. When asked if there were any mechanical deficiencies that would have prevented normal operation of his airplane, the pilot/owner replied, “No, none. Not at all.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4581M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4581M), registered now, S/N 1936, built 1945 (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-65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-series) (registry code 17324, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1936 - Year built: 1945 - Airframe hours: 1125 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Metcalfe Robert - Registered owner: Metcalfe Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2021 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OKV, Winchester Rgnl, runway 14/32, 5,498 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,500 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KOKV - METAR: METAR KOKV 091815Z AUTO 10004KT 10SM OVC042 18/15 A3012 RMK AO2 ## 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 20211009017799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211009017799A), Oct 9, 2021: Luscombe 8A, Winchester, VA, Substantial damage. Landing pilot, flying in the right seat, is a properly certificated rated tail wheel pilot. PIC in left seat is properly certificated rated tail wheel pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104091. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 memorandum for record (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12861319&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Robert%20Metcalfe%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12861899&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FW_%20Luscombe%205481M%20incident%20at%20KOKV%20Sat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 792 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12861818&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.