# NTSB LAX07CA283: Luscombe 8E, N2826K, Ramona, CA, September 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2007, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.0391666666667, -116.915277777778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0392&lon=-116.9153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA283 ## Probable cause the installation and subsequent failure of an incorrect part, which jammed in one wheel's brake caliper and induced the pilot's loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause) - landing gear,wheel - incorrect (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - sheared (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - jammed (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - landing gear,wheel - movement restricted (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control of the airplane during landing rollout. It veered off the runway, ground looped, and a wing broke. An examination of the airplane's records and landing gear revealed that years earlier, the left wheel had been replaced with an incorrect part, which incorporated different sizes of bolt holes for each half of the wheel. During subsequent operation of the airplane one through bolt that held the wheel halves together sheared. The bolt became lodged in the brake caliper, which caused the left wheel to lock up. This induced a turning moment, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2007, about 1315 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N2826K, ground looped during landing rollout at the Ramona Airport, Ramona, California. The student pilot owned and operated the airplane, and it was substantially damaged during the solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Ramona about 1300. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he landed on runway 27, and his certified flight instructor exited the airplane. The pilot planned to practice takeoffs and landings, and his first flight around the traffic pattern was uneventful. During the second landing rollout the airplane veered off the runway, and a wing impacted the ground and broke. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the airplane and reported that the left wheel had been replaced in 1950 with an incorrect part. The bolt holes were observed to be different sizes for each half of the wheel. The FAA coordinator stated that during operation of the airplane in subsequent years, the through bolt that holds the wheel halves together sheared. This "bolt became lodged in the brake caliper and caused the left wheel to lock up" during rollout. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2826K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2826K), registered now, S/N 5553, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - 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: 5553 - Engines: Continental C85 reciprocating; Continental C-85-12F reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Christopher M. Fox - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA - Airport: RNM, Ramona, runway 27, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20070929022999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070929022999A), Sep 29, 2007: Luscom 8E, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The owner/student pilot recently purchased the aircraft in order to receive instruction and obtain his private pilot certificate. The owner/student pilot… 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.