# NTSB GAA18CA061: Luscombe 8, N1780K, Caldwell, TX, November 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2017, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, TX - Coordinates: 30.699443, -96.654724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6994&lon=-96.6547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA061 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 8F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190114), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the right downwind in the traffic pattern, he was about 1/4 mile from the runway, which was "too close." He added that, "during a poorly planned and executed base to final approach," he performed an "uncoordinated" right bank about 45°, and the right wing dropped, which resulted in a descending right roll. He attempted to recover, but the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the right downwind in the traffic pattern, he was about one quarter mile from the runway, which was "too close". He added that, "during a poorly planned and executed base to final approach", he performed an "uncoordinated" right bank at about 45°, and the right wing dropped, which resulted in a descending roll to the right. He attempted to recover, but the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1780K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1780K-2020-06-25), registration cancelled 2020-06-25, S/N 4507, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (F) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4507 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2017 - Departed: PVT, Caldwell, TX - Destination: PVT, Caldwell, TX - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 36, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 4, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 589 total, 589 in this make and model, 589 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KRWV, 1 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 20171123021929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171123021929A), Nov 23, 2017: Luscombe 8F, Caldwell, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft was on right base, turning final, for runway 36, which is located on the big star cattle ranch. It is a 2400 foot, asphalt, private, unregistered,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96389. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.