# NTSB GAA18CA205: Luscombe 8, N71617, Vernon, TX, April 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2018, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Vernon, TX - Coordinates: 34.225276, -99.283058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2253&lon=-99.2831&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 August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97005/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97005 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA205 ## 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) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the three-point landing, almost immediately after touchdown, the airplane veered to the left, ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He added that the airplane came to rest facing 180° opposite of the landing direction in the grass off the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right aileron. He further reported that when loading the airplane onto the trailer for recovery, he noticed there was a crack in the right gear leg just above the weld to the axle. He added that 2/3 of the brake showed fresh metal, and the other 1/3 was rusted and corroded. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the three-point landing, almost immediately after touch down, the airplane veered to the left, ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He added that, the airplane came to rest facing 180° opposite of the landing direction in the grass off the left side of the runway. He further reported, that when loading the airplane onto the trailer for recovery, he noticed there was a crack in the right gear leg, just above the weld to the axle. He added that 2/3 of the break showed fresh metal and the other 1/3 was rusted and corroded. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right aileron. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71617](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71617-2024-03-23), registration cancelled 2024-03-23, S/N 3044, 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: 3044 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3660.5 - Engines: Continental A65F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2018 - Departed: 6K4, FAIRVIEW, OK - Destination: F05, Vernon, TX - Airport: F05, Wilbarger County, runway 20, 5,099 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 1,307 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,195 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KF05 ## 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 20180405007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180405007809A), Apr 5, 2018: Luscombe 8A, Vernon, TX, Substantial damage. On April 5, 2018, at approximately 1445 CDT, N71617, a Luscombe L8A, ground looped after landing at Vernon airport (F05) in Vernon, Texas. Aircraft was being… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97005. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 958 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures%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.