# NTSB GAA17CA038: Luscombe 8, N1750K, Wilmington, OH, October 15, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 15, 2016, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.503055, -83.863052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5031&lon=-83.8631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94269/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94269
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA038

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion.

## 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: [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)
- [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: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8190112), [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); 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: 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after the initial touchdown, the tailwheel equipped airplane bounced and "floated" as "he held the stick back". The airplane touched down again and began to porpoise, while "he continued to hold the stick back". He further reported that the airplane veered to the left and he attempted to correct with rudder inputs. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered a grassy incline, and became airborne. He reported that he applied full throttle but the airplane did not gain altitude, he then saw trees ahead and elected to land the airplane. As the airplane contacted the ground it rolled forward, coming to rest in a nose down attitude. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after the initial touchdown, the tailwheel equipped airplane bounced and "floated" as "he held the stick back". The airplane touched down again and began to porpoise, while "he continued to hold the stick back". He further reported that the airplane veered to the left and he attempted to correct with rudder inputs. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered a grassy incline, and became airborne. He reported that he applied full throttle but the airplane did not gain altitude, he then saw trees ahead and elected to land the airplane. As the airplane contacted the ground it rolled forward, coming to rest in a nose down attitude. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1750K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1750K-2017-05-09), registration cancelled 2017-05-09, S/N 4477, 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: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4477
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 3168.9
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2016
- Departed: 40I, WAYNESVILLE, OH
- Destination: I66, Wilmington, OH
- Airport: I66, Clinton Field, runway 21, 3,579 × 65 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review April 16, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 87 total, 13 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KILN, 5 nm away

## 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 20161015021869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161015021869A), Oct 15, 2016: Luscombe 8E, Wilmington, OH, Substantial damage. On October 15, 2016 at 0915 EDT, a luccombe 8E, N1750K, [privacy data omitted], had a hard landing and ground loop while landing at clinton county airport,…

## Other investigations on N1750K (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 NYC97LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA112), Jun 10, 1997: Luscombe LL-8-E (N1750K), Charlottesville, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The left main landing gear collapsed due to corrosion.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94269. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 836 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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