# NTSB LAX07CA289: Luscombe 8A, N1544K, Reedley, CA, August 31, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2007, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Reedley, CA - Coordinates: 36.705276, -119.402778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7053&lon=-119.4028&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, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67351/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot made a normal landing approach and touched down on the first 1/4 of the upsloping runway. He stated that he flared for landing and decided to allow the airplane to settle to the ground in a three point attitude. After touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right. As he corrected back to the runway, the airplane began to oscillate and then ground looped. The pilot reported that if he had done a wheel landing and held the tail off the ground until the speed had dissipated, he would have had more time to recognize a potential ground loop situation and react accordingly. He further stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he made an approach to the airport, flew a normal landing pattern, and touched down in the first 1/4 of runway 27. The landing flare was "going very well," and he allowed the airplane to settle to the ground in a "three point attitude." As the airplane's airspeed decreased and it settled to the ground, it began to veer slightly to the right. During the correction back to the runway, the airplane ground looped in a counterclockwise direction. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported that runway 27 is an upslope runway, and the surface is a little uneven. He stated that he should have wheel landed the airplane and held the tail up until the speed had dissipated. The pilot stated that if he had kept the tail up, it would have given him time to recognize a potential ground loop situation, and react appropriately. The accident occurred on August 31, 2007. On December 6, 2007, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office reported the accident to the National Transportation Safety Board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1544K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1544K), registered now, S/N 4271, 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: 4271 - Airframe hours: 2862 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006, 33 hours before - Departed: FCH, FRESNO, CA - Destination: 42CN, Reedley, CA - Airport: 42CN, Peg Field Airport, runway 27, 3,110 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 763 total, 478 in this make and model, 763 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 16 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 20070831827799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070831827799A), Aug 31, 2007: Luscom 8A, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 31, 2007 N1544K was landing at a private airport (42CN) near Reedley, CA at approximately 1400 PDT. The pilot stated that he was just rolling… ## Other investigations on N1544K (3) 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 WPR13CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA150), Mar 13, 2013: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Madera, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB LAX00LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA113), Feb 26, 2000: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Selma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure and separation of the right landing gear axle during taxi from landing for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB NYC75FGM47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FGM47), Jun 21, 1975: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Leechburg, PA, 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.