# NTSB LAX05CA256: Luscombe 8A, N71780, Benson, AZ, August 2, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Benson, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.999721, -110.357223
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9997&lon=-110.3572&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA256

## Probable cause

the non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, unqualified person (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, unqualified person (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway during landing and the right main gear collided with a berm.  The owner, who does not hold any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates (including a student pilot certificate), said that during the landing roll, the tail-wheel equipped airplane began to swerve to the left of the runway centerline.  The airplane continued to veer to the left and departed the runway surface.  The right main landing gear impacted a dirt mound and the airplane came to rest on the right wing.  The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On August 02, 2005 about 0800 mountain standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N71780, collided with terrain during the landing roll at the Benson Municipal Airport, Benson, Arizona.  The owner, who does not hold any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates (including a student pilot certificate), was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The owner, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal local flight departed Benson about 0630.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the owner reported that the purpose of the solo flight was to practice landings in the pursuance of a sport pilot rating.  During the landing roll on runway 10, the tail-wheel equipped airplane began to swerve to the left of the runway centerline.  The owner maneuvered the airplane to counteract the veer, but there was not enough of the runway surface remaining for him to be able to realign the airplane with the centerline.  The airplane continued to the left, departing the runway surface.  The right main landing gear impacted a dirt mound and the airplane came to rest on the right wing.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.  The airplane sustained damage to the right wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71780](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71780), registered now, S/N 3207, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A
- 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: 3207
- Engines: Continental A65-8 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: E95, Benson, AZ
- Destination: E95, Benson, AZ
- Airport: E95, Benson Municipal Airport, runway 10, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg

## 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 20050802020909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050802020909A), Aug 2, 2005: Luscom 8A, Benson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Solo student ground looped aircraft during landing causing substantial damage to aircraft. The sole occupant/owner did not receive any injuries.

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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