# NTSB LAX92LA392: Luscombe 8A, N39087, Columbia, CA, September 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1992, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.110576, -120.379913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1106&lon=-120.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA392

## 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 SEAT POSITION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - unavailable, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE STUDENT MADE THREE PRIOR LANDINGS IN THE AIRCRAFT. ON THE FOURTH LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT DECELERATED TO ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT BEGAN VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE RIGHT SEAT POSITION DOES NOT HAVE BRAKES AND HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT WITH RUDDER ALONE DUE TO THE REDUCED SPEED. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGING THE WING.

## 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: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Springfield Flying Service
- Registered owner: Glen Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1992, 54 hours before
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 24, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,946 total, 180 in this make and model, 1,813 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 LAX85LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA290), Jun 24, 1985: Luscombe 8A (N39087), San Jose, CA, substantial damage
- [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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