# NTSB LAX87LA107: Luscombe 8A, N1130B, Riverside, CA, February 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 10:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.989292, -117.440361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9893&lon=-117.4404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA107

## 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
  - flt control syst,rudder control - failure,total (cause)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A LUSCOMBE 8A GROUND LOOPED ON LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL AFTER HIS THIRD LANDING HE HEARD A 'POP' SOUND. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED RIGHT, COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGING THE LEFT WING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO IS ALSO AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE LEFT RUDDER CABLE WAS BROKEN. THE CABLE WAS EXAMINED IN A METALLURGICAL LABORATORY. THE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT 42 OF THE 49 WIRES IN THE CABLE HAD FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS AT THE WIRE BREAKS AND THE REMAINING 7 WERE ENTIRELY OVERSTRESS FRACTURES. THE WIRE BREAKS HAD OCCURRED WITHIN 0.5 INCHES OF EACH OTHER NEAR A PULLEY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1130B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1130B-1990-10-16), registration cancelled 1990-10-16, S/N 5757 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5757
- Airframe hours: 1703
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C8512F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn M. Holbrook
- Registered owner: Holbrook, Dawn M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: RIR, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Airport: RIR, Flabob, runway 24, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 134 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAL, 3 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 19870201001629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870201001629A), Feb 1, 1987: Luscom 8A, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. Plane ground looped on landing. Left rudder cable failed from fatigue cracking. Student used expired cert BB3387406

## Other investigations on N1130B (1)

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 DEN77DTE65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77DTE65), Jul 10, 1977: Luscombe 8E (N1130B), Colorado Sprgs, CO, 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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