# NTSB GAA16CA476: Luscombe 8, N1263K, Juneau, WI, September 10, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 10, 2016, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Juneau, WI - Coordinates: 43.426387, -88.700836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4264&lon=-88.7008&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA476 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93994/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93994 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA476 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the foot pad cover slipping off the right rudder pedal during the landing roll. ## 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 8E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane abruptly veered to the left because his right foot had rolled off the right rudder pedal. He further reported that he was able to regain rudder authority, but the airplane was approaching the left edge of the runway and he did not want to "apply hard right rudder" for fear of blowing a tire. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway surface into soft grass. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear dug into the grass, folded under the fuselage, and the airplane ground looped. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported after the accident he found the right rudder foot pad cover had rolled off the rudder pedal and was lying on the cockpit floor. An automated weather observing system at the airport, near the time of the accident, reported the wind at 280 degrees true at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The landing was on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane abruptly veered to the left because his right foot had rolled off the right rudder pedal. He further reported that he was able to regain rudder authority, but the airplane was approaching the left edge of the runway and he did not want to "apply hard right rudder" for fear of blowing a tire. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway surface into soft grass. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear dug into the grass, folded under the fuselage, and the airplane ground looped. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported after the accident he found the right rudder foot pad cover had rolled off the rudder pedal and was lying on the cockpit floor. An automated weather observing system at the airport, near the time of the accident, reported the wind at 280 degrees true at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The landing was on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1263K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1263K-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 3990, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (E) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3990 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2468.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 2016 - Departed: BMI, BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL, IL - Destination: UNU, Juneau, WI - Airport: UNU, Dodge County, runway 26, 5,070 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 12,600 total, 150 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KUNU ## 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 20160910017129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160910017129A), Sep 10, 2016: Luscombe 8E, Juneau, WI, Substantial damage. The mishap aircraft was conducting a wheel landing on runway 26 at the Dodge County Airport. The weather was VFR, and winds were reported as 280 at 9, gusting… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93994. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 903 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446162&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.