# NTSB GAA16CA307: Luscombe 8, N2850K, Valparaiso, IN, June 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2016, 19:30 local (Jun 12, 2016, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.452499, -87.006942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4525&lon=-87.0069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: 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): 93373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA307 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, failure of the tailwheel suspension leaf spring, a ground loop, and substantial damage to the left wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the airplane bounced, subsequently the leaf spring on the tail wheel broke midspan. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered to the right despite full left rudder deflection and brake application, which resulted in a ground loop, left main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the airplane bounced, subsequently the leaf spring on the tail wheel broke midspan. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered to the right despite full left rudder deflection and brake application, which resulted in a ground loop, left main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2850K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2850K-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 5577, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A) - 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: 5577 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 1312 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2016 - Departed: 3KK, KANKAKEE, IL - Destination: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN - Airport: VPZ, Porter County Rgnl, runway 36, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KVPZ ## 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 20160611009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160611009329A), Jun 11, 2016: Luscombe 8A, Valparaiso, IN, Minor damage. The pilot landed the aircraft hard on runway 36 at porter county regional airport in Valparaiso, Indiana. The tail wheel leaf spring broke from the impact of… ## Other investigations on N2850K (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 CHI07CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA171), Jun 15, 2007: Luscombe 8A (N2850K), Columbia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, causing a ground loop, subsequent runway excursion, and left main gear collapse. Factors in the accident include the ground loop… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93373. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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. --- 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.