# NTSB GAA18CA244: Luscombe 8, N71261, Eunice, LA, April 28, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 27, 2018, 19:20 local (Apr 28, 2018, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Eunice, LA
- Coordinates: 30.459722, -92.421943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4597&lon=-92.4219&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97141/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97141
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA244

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on approach to land.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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 reported that, during approach to land, the airplane struck a tree. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and front windshield. 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 final, the airplane struck a tree. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and front windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71261](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71261), registered now, S/N 2688, 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: 2688
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2496.6
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2017
- Destination: 4R7, Eunice, LA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 4R7, Eunice, runway 34, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,228 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,220 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KOPL, 18 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 20180427010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180427010639A), Apr 27, 2018: Luscombe 8A, Eunice, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot set up for final approach at Eunice for runway 35. Pilot was low on final and looked down at the instrument panel. Pilot states that the aircraft hit…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97141. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 850 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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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