# NTSB GAA20CA090: Luscombe 8, N71707, Brogue, PA, November 19, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 19, 2019, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Brogue, PA
- Coordinates: 39.852222, -76.486389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8522&lon=-76.4864&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100608/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100608
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA090

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires during approach to landing.

## 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: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach to the runway, the landing gear struck a wire and the airplane then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach to the runway, the landing gear struck a wire and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71707](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71707-2021-03-06), registration cancelled 2021-03-06, S/N 3134, 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: 3134
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2083.7
- Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2019
- Departed: W42, Fallston, MD
- Destination: 9W8, Brogue, PA
- Airport: 9W8, Baublitz Commercial, runway 28, 2,493 × 100 ft
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 15, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 1,129.3 total, 241 in this make and model, 1,024 as pilot in command, 3.2 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KLNS, 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 20191119018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191119018979A), Nov 19, 2019: Luscombe 8A, Brogue, PA, Substantial damage. As the aircraft was approaching the airport from the southeast, the aircraft's landing gear hit electrical wires causing the aircraft to crash approx. 1200…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100608. 7.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479684&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.

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