# NTSB FTW93LA110: Luscombe 8E, N1337B, Abbeville, LA, March 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1993, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Abbeville, LA
- Coordinates: 29.96976, -92.11975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9698&lon=-92.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE THE GUSTING CROSSWINDS AND THE SOFT WET GROUND

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSSWIND LANDING WITH WINDS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO VEER AROUND A RUNWAY LANDING LIGHT AND THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR SANK IN THE SOFT WET GRASS. AS THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE GROUND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On March 20, 1993, at approximately 1730 central standard time (CST), a Luscombe 8E, N1337B, was substantially damaged during landing at the Abbeville, Louisiana, Municipal airport. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Mark Lerille was the owner and operator. Weather for the local area flight was visual meteorological conditions.

During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector the pilot reported the following information. During landing the airplane ran off the left side of the runway. After leaving the runway the pilot diverted around a runway light and the landing gear became mired in the soft wet ground. The mired landing gear resulted in the pilot losing further control and the airplane nosing over to the inverted position. The pilot further reported that the crosswinds reached gusts of 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1337B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1337B), registered now, S/N 5964 (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: 5964
- Airframe hours: 2525
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lerille, Mark
- Registered owner: Lerille, Mark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1993, 20 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: 0R3
- Airport: 0R3, Abbeville, runway 15, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19930320007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930320007939A), Mar 20, 1993: Bbavia STC8, Abbeville, LA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing in gusty crosswind. Entered soft ground and nosed over.

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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