# NTSB ERA22LA289: Luscombe 8A, N1476K, Palmyra, PA, June 25, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 25, 2022, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Palmyra, PA
- Coordinates: 40.279152, -76.598406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2792&lon=-76.5984&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105372/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105372
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA289

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing touch and go landings, when on the last final approach, the airplane was a “little slow and low on the glide path” and struck a car passing on the roadway in front of the runway. The main landing gear was separated, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1476K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1476K-2023-12-26), registration cancelled 2023-12-26, S/N 4203, built 1946 (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: 4203
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: Continental A65-8 65 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 2021
- Airport: 58N, Reigle Fld, runway 31, 1,955 × 40 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 576 total, 8 in this make and model, 444 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: MDT, 9 nm away
- METAR: KMDT 251356Z 16003KT 10SM SCT030 26/19 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP204 T02610189

## 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 20220625011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220625011279A), Jun 25, 2022: Luscombe 8A, Palmyra, PA, Substantial damage. While attempting an approach to rwy 31, the pilot became fixated on his aimpoint. This allowed him to get low for the approach. The aircraft wheels impacted…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105372. 6.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14131181&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14130565&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14131121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=investigavtive%20Photo%27s-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.

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