# NTSB GAA19CA568: Luscombe 8, N25100, Prescott, AZ, August 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2019, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.654724, -112.419166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6547&lon=-112.4192&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA568 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100331/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100331 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA568 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent overapplication of rudder pedal, which resulted in a runway excursion and the right wing striking the ground. ## 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during a wheel landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right and then veered right, and he "apparently over-corrected" to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. 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 in the right seat of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he had just sold the airplane to the pilot in the left seat. The right seat pilot was on the controls, and during a wheel landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The airplane veered right, and he "apparently over-corrected," to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane was not equipped with brakes on the left seat pilot's side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 10 knots. One hour prior to the accident, gusts were reported at 17 knots, and one hour after the accident, gusts were reported at 20 knots. The pilot landed on runway 21L. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25100](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25100), registered now, S/N 1024, 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: 1024 - Year built: 1939 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Airport: PRC, Prescott Rgnl - Ernest A Love, runway 21L, 7,619 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 28, 2019; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 11,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 10,700 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KPRC ## 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 20190830018019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190830018019A), Aug 30, 2019: Luscombe 8A, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Accident investigation N25100 During the touch and go on runway 21L the pilot ground looped the aircraft. The aircraft had a valid registration (expiration… ## Other investigations on N25100 (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 WPR16LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA017), Oct 24, 2015: Luscombe 8A (N25100), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and his inability to recover due to a malfunction of the tailwheel. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100331. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479611&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.