# NTSB GAA17CA066: Luscombe 8, N2604K, Conway, AR, November 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 12, 2016, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Conway, AR - Coordinates: 35.054721, -92.354164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0547&lon=-92.3542&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 July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94375 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94375/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94375 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA066 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a 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: [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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-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) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on the turf runway, and the airplane began to drift left. He made a right rudder pedal input that did not counter the left drift, and he adjusted his foot on the right rudder pedal so that he could apply differential braking. However, he reported that "my shoe was caught between the rudder pedal and the sheet metal fairing on the floorboard that covers the rudder pedal bell cranks," which prevented him from applying differential braking. The airplane exited the runway to the left and ground looped, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on the turf runway and the airplane began to drift left. He made a right rudder pedal input that did not counter the left drift, and he adjusted his foot on the right rudder pedal so that he could apply differential braking. However, he reported that, "my shoe was caught between the rudder pedal and the sheet metal fairing on the floorboard that covers the rudder pedal bell cranks," preventing him from applying differential braking. The airplane exited the runway to the left, ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2604K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2604K), registered now, S/N 5331, built 1947 (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: 5331 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2593 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2016 - Departed: ORK, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - Destination: AR88, Conway, AR - Airport: AR88, Poe'S, runway 11, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,580 total, 1,489 in this make and model, 1,437 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KLRF, 13 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 20161112018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161112018449A), Nov 12, 2016: Luscombe 8E, Conway, AR, Substantial damage. On Saturday, November 12, 2016 at approximately 08:25 local central standard time, a Luscombe 8E, registration number N2604K, veered off of the runway after a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94375. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 427 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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. --- 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.