# NTSB GAA16CA193: Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N28437, Burlington, WA, April 19, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2016, 17:10 local (Apr 19, 2016, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.470554, -122.421669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4706&lon=-122.4217&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93032/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA193

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and ground loop.

## 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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=8190120), [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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190120), [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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he was practicing stop and go landings on an asphalt runway. He reported that during the third landing, he continued his landing roll to turn off the runway. He reported that he applied the brakes in order to slow down, but inadvertently applied too much pressure to both heel brakes. He recalled that due to the excessive braking the airplane veered right, and then veered left and the airplane subsequently exited the runway to the left and ground looped. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he was practicing stop and go landings on an asphalt runway. He reported that during the third landing, he continued his landing roll to turn off the runway. He reported that he applied the brakes in order to slow down, but inadvertently applied too much pressure to both heel brakes. He recalled that due to the excessive braking the airplane veered right, and then veered left and the airplane subsequently exited the runway to the left and ground looped. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28437](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28437), registered now, S/N 1304, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1304
- Year built: 1940
- Airframe hours: 3712
- Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyle E. Mooney and Steve McClean
- Registered owner: Lyle E. Mooney and Steve McClean
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2015
- Departed: 74S, ANACORTES, WA
- Destination: BVS, Burlington, WA
- Airport: BVS, Skagit Rgnl, runway 29, 5,478 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 430 total, 26 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KBVS

## 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 20160418003929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160418003929A), Apr 18, 2016: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, Burlington, WA, Substantial damage. After landing on rnwy 29, PIC states his foot slipped off of brake pedal and aircraft veered off the rnwy to the left. The right gear leg folded underneath the…

## Other investigations on N28437 (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA15CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA160), Jun 26, 2015: Silvaire Luscombe 8A (N28437), Anacortes, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll resulting in a nose over.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93032. 502 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 376 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-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.

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