# NTSB FTW96LA313: Luscombe 8A, N71973, Corsicana, TX, July 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1996, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Corsicana, TX
- Location: 32.0824° N, 96.4667° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corsicana, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0824&lon=-96.4667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA313

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the high wind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that upon return from a local area flight, he 'was attempting to back the aircraft up by flying into a steady south wind, just above the stall.' As he flew the airplane low and slow over the runway, the winds suddenly stopped.  The pilot stated that the trees surrounding the airstrip may have blocked the wind, resulting in a loss of control.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1996, at 1400 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N71973, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Corsicana, Texas.  The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed.  The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip approximately an hour prior to the accident.

According to the pilot, upon return from a local area flight, he "was attempting to back the aircraft up by flying into the wind, just above the stall."  He reported that the winds were initially steady from the south.  As he flew the airplane low and slow over the runway, the wind suddenly stopped.  The pilot stated that the trees surrounding the airstrip may have blocked the wind, resulting in a loss of control.

The 1946 vintage airplane impacted trees resulting in structural damage to both wings and the attaching point for the left main landing gear.  The accident was reported to the NTSB on July 22, 1996.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71973 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3400
- Airframe hours: 1981
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles W. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1995, 30 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, The Homestead, runway 33, 1,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19960704019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960704019199A), Jul 4, 1996: Luscom 8A, Corsicana, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft came too low and too slow on landing and struck trees, landing gear sustained damage. (-23) ref. NTSB FTW96LA313 report.

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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