# NTSB IAD98LA011: Silvaire Luscombe 8B, N5PL, Bluefield, WV, October 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 1997, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC) - Place: Bluefield, WV - Coordinates: 37.260868, -81.210533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2609&lon=-81.2105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA011 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot entered a right base leg for runway 23 with the winds from the south/southeast. He recalled that the approach was normal, but 'added power to recover from a down draft about 1/4 mile from the threshold.' During the 3 point touch down at normal speed, the airplane immediately veered to the right, with the left wing and landing gear lifting up. The pilot applied left aileron and rudder, but the airplane drifted off the right side of the runway and continued onto the grass. The right landing gear dropped into a drainage ditch, collapsing the landing gear . The airplane rotated over its nose, coming to rest inverted. Flight control continuity was verified, and the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 1997, about 1144 eastern standard time, a Silvaire Luscombe 8B, N5PL, was substantially damaged as it went off the runway during landing roll at the Mercer County Airport (BLF), Bluefield, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal cross country flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the John C. Tune Airport, Nashville, Tennessee, about 0900 central standard time. The pilot reported that he made a right base leg for runway 23 at BLF, with the winds from the south/southeast. He recalled that the approach was normal, but "added power to recover from a down draft about 1/4 mile from the threshold." The pilot stated that "during the 3 point touch down at normal speed, the airplane immediately veered to the right, with the left wing and the left landing gear lifting up. He applied left aileron and rudder returning the landing gear to the pavement, but the airplane continued to drift to the right." The pilot reported that the airplane drifted onto the grass along side the runway, when the right landing gear dropped into a drainage ditch. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane rotated over its nose. The pilot stated that the propeller, the right wing tip, and the left wing tip contacted the ground. He initially reported no structural damage to either wing or fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the airplane on November 6, 1997. The examination revealed that both wing spars and the engine fire wall were damaged, and the incident was upgraded to an accident on November 6, 1997. Flight control continuity was verified and the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the flight controls or engine. The winds were reported to be calm at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5PL-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 5395, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8B (LUSCOMBE 8) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5395 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles H. Kinzey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1997 - Departed: JWN, NASHVILLE, TN - Destination: BLF - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BLF, Mercer County Airport, runway 23, 4,742 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 913 total, 68 in this make and model, 713 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BLF ## 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 19971025040419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971025040419A), Oct 25, 1997: Luscom 8B, Bluefield, WV, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot entered a right base leg for runway 23 with the winds from the south/southeast. He recalled that the approach was normal, but 'added power to… ## Other investigations on N5PL (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 CHI82DA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA258), Jul 16, 1982: Luscombe 8F (N5PL), Belleville, MI, substantial damage 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.