# NTSB LAX85LA290: Luscombe 8A, N39087, San Jose, CA, June 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1985, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.300765, -122.000625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3008&lon=-122.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA290

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL,DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE OF A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AS IT ENTERED A GROUND LOOP THAT COLLAPSED THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39087](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39087), registered now, S/N 1848, built 1941 (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: 1848
- Airframe hours: 1262
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A658 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald C. Lawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 1985
- Departed: SIC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Intl., runway 12, 8,899 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,617 total, 284 in this make and model, 1,494 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

## 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 19850624027389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850624027389A), Jun 24, 1985: Luscom 8A, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. After 3 point landing power was added and aircraft veered. Overcorrected and ground looped. Right gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N39087 (2)

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 LAX92LA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA392), Sep 17, 1992: Luscombe 8A (N39087), Columbia, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LOW SPEED PORTION OF THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF BRAKE PEDALS AT THE INSTRUCTOR'S…
- [NTSB UNK64X3667](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3667), Aug 29, 1964: Luscombe 8A (N39087), Hayward, CA, 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.

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