# NTSB GAA19CA240: Luscombe 8, N22052, Orofino, ID, May 3, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2019, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Orofino, ID - Coordinates: 46.49139, -116.276947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4914&lon=-116.2769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99369/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99369 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA240 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience using heel brakes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he decided to perform a high-speed taxi after repairs had been made to the tailwheel-equipped airplane "to verify controls and instrumentation," but the airplane became airborne, and he decided that the safest action was to fly one pattern and land. He reported that, during the landing roll, the ground speed decreased to about 3 knots, the brakes locked up, and the airplane then nosed over. The pilot added that the airplane was equipped with heel brakes and that it had been 13 years since he had flown a tailwheel-equipped airplane with heel brakes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane's, "current annual had not been completed, however several repairs were made in anticipation of completing the Annual inspection, including the installation of new main landing gear brake linings, "which are part of the wheel and not part of the shoe." Additionally, he reported that the airplane was equipped with heel brakes, and that it had been 13 years since he had flown a tailwheel-equipped airplane with heel brakes. The pilot decided to perform a high-speed taxi after the repairs were made, "to verify controls and instrumentation," but the airplane became airborne and he decided that the safest action was to fly one pattern and land. He reported that during the landing roll, the airplane's ground speed decreased to about 3 knots and the brakes locked up, and the airplane nosed over. A witness reported that the pilot made the repairs to the brakes. The airplane took off, completed one pattern and landed. During the landing roll the airplane nosed over. After the accident, the pilot told the witness that, he applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22052](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22052), registered now, S/N 878, built 1939 (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: 878 - Year built: 1939 - Airframe hours: 3883 - Engines: Continental C75-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Other - Departed: S68, Orofino, ID - Destination: S68, Orofino, ID - Airport: S68, Orofino Muni, runway 27, 2,500 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,027 total, 229 in this make and model, 926 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KLWS, 31 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 20190503003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190503003839A), May 3, 2019: Luscombe 8A, Orofino, ID, Substantial damage. While intending to perform a high speed taxi after annual inspection, pilot inadvertently took off. Made the decision to go around and land. After touchdown,… ## Other investigations on N22052 (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 UNK64X0585](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0585), Feb 16, 1964: Luscombe 8A (N22052), Compton, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99369. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Witness (item 2, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Witness-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475414&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.