# NTSB GAA17CA510: Luscombe 8, N71971, Angleton, TX, August 19, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2017, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Angleton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.101943, -95.462219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1019&lon=-95.4622&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA510
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95899/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95899
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA510

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## 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 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [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 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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [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 the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71971](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71971-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 3398, built 1946 (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: 3398
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2063.5
- Engines: Continental C65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2017
- Departed: LBX, ANGLETON, TX
- Destination: LBX, ANGLETON, TX
- Airport: LBX, Texas Gulf Coast Rgnl, runway 17, 7,000 × 100 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 24, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KLBX

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95899. 583 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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