# NTSB LAX03LA094: Luscombe T-8F, N1822B, El Cajon, CA, February 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 2003, 16:11 local (Feb 24, 2003, 00:11 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and loss of directional control during landing. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command(cfi) ## Analysis During landing rollout, the airline transport pilot encountered a left crosswind, lost directional control, collided with a sign, applied engine power thereby initiating a go-around and finally collided with terrain. Previously, the second pilot had performed three takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. The certificated airline transport pilot (ATP) performed the fourth landing on runway 27R. During rollout he pulled the control stick aft and left. The airplane veered left, directional control was lost, and the airplane collided with a taxiway sign. Thereafter, the ATP applied full engine power to go around. The airplane veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and became airborne. While in ground effect, the airplane's right wing tip impacted a nearby dirt embankment. The airplane came to rest in a grassy field on airport property. The ATP indicated that during the attempted landing the left crosswind increased in speed and a gust was encountered. He estimated that the wind was from 220 degrees at 10 knots, with an occasional gust to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 2003, about 1611 Pacific standard time, a Luscombe T-8F, N1822B, operated by the pilot, collided with terrain during an attempted go-around following an aborted landing at the Gillespie Field, El Cajon, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot (ATP) nor the second pilot, who previously had been handling the flight controls, was injured. Both pilots possessed certified flight instructor certificates. The accident occurred during an instructional flight that was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from El Cajon about 1529. According to the ATP, his son had performed three takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. In pertinent part, the ATP indicated that during rollout on the fourth landing on runway 27R he pulled the conventional gear airplane's control stick aft. The airplane veered left, directional control was lost, and the airplane collided with a taxiway sign. Thereafter, the ATP applied full engine power to go around. The airplane veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and became airborne. While in ground effect, the airplane's right wing tip impacted a nearby dirt embankment. The airplane came to rest in a grassy field on airport property. The ATP also indicated that during the attempted landing the left crosswind increased in speed and a gust was encountered. He estimated that the wind was from 220 degrees at 10 knots, with an occasional gust to 14 knots. At 1550, the control tower reported that the wind was from 230 degrees at 6 knots. In the ATP pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," he indicated that his total flight time was about 10,756.4 hours. His flying experience in the accident model of airplane was 11.8 hours. The ATP also indicated that, overall, his experience flying tail wheel equipped airplanes was 1,041.5 hours. The second pilot's total flight time was about 945.0 hours. His flying experience in the accident model of airplane was 14.0 hours. The ATP opined that a mechanical malfunction may have contributed to his inability to maintain directional control. According to the ATP, during the landing rollout with the prevailing left crosswind condition, he had applied full up (aft stick) elevator control pressure and left aileron (stick) control. This action may have resulted in the tail wheel housing/structure bending in an upward direction thereby restricting or jamming rudder movement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1822B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1822B), registered now, S/N 6249, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe T-8F - Registry model: [Luscombe T-8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-t-8f) (registry code 8190116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6249 - Airframe hours: 4550 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: John A. Hammerstrand - Registered owner: Dan Hearn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2002, 44 hours before - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27R, 5,341 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 27, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,756 total, 12 in this make and model, 10,350 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 945 total, 14 in this make and model, 572 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## 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 20030223002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030223002929A), Feb 23, 2003: Luscom T8F, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 23, 2003, about 1611 pacific standard time, a Luscombe T-8F, N1822B, operated by the pilot, collided with terrain during an attempted… 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.