# NTSB GAA18CA448: Luscombe 8, N1489B, Lawrenceville, VA, July 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2018, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Lawrenceville, VA - Coordinates: 36.772777, -77.793891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7728&lon=-77.7939&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA448 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97907/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97907 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA448 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a tailwind. ## 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 · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190114), [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 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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 8F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as soon as the main landing gear touched down, the airplane veered left. He tried to correct with right rudder, but the airplane exited the runway to the left into the grass and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 230° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 36. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as soon as the main landing gear touched down, the airplane veered to the left. He tried to correct with right rudder, but the airplane exited the runway to the left into the grass, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 230° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1489B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1489B-2020-10-03), registration cancelled 2020-10-03, S/N 6116, built 1948 (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: 6116 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 3588.1 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2018 - Departed: S37, Smoketown, PA - Destination: LVL, LAWRENCEVILLE, VA - Airport: LVL, Lawrenceville/Brunswick Muni, runway 36, 3,020 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,089.3 total, 158.6 in this make and model, 1,013.5 as pilot in command, 6.4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KLVL ## 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 20180726018239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180726018239A), Jul 26, 2018: Luscombe 8F, Lawrenceville, VA, Substantial damage. A/c landed runway 36, pilot lost control, veered left off the runway into the grass and flipped over. Pilot suffered minor injury to hand. ## Other investigations on N1489B (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA76DYE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYE03), Jul 19, 1975: Luscombe 8F (N1489B), Bremerton, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97907. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 451 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 820 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467383&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.