# NTSB LAX94LA161: Luscombe 8EZ, N2295K, Prescott, AZ, March 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1994, 11:42 local (18:42 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.620952, -112.419456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6210&lon=-112.4195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28695/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA161 ## Probable cause the flying pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, his failure to maintain directional control, and the inadvertent entry into a ground loop. A factor in the accident was the flying pilot's lack of experience in conventional landing gear aircraft. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause) - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign ## Analysis The aircraft owner stated that he holds a flight instructor certificate and was showing another flight instructor, who has no tail wheel experience, how to land a conventional gear aircraft. The aircraft owner was in the right seat while the second flight instructor occupied the left seat. The owner reported that they had performed several touch-and-go landings with the second flight instructor manipulating the flight controls. On the accident landing, the aircraft had just touched down on the main wheels when a crosswind gust lifted the left wing. The flying pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft and it veered to the right, ran off the runway, and struck a runway sign with the right wing. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1994, at 1142 mountain standard time, a Luscombe 8EZ, N2295K, collided with a runway sign following an on-ground loss of control while performing touch-and-go pattern operations at Prescott, Arizona. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither of the certificated commercial pilots on board the aircraft were injured. The flight originated at the Prescott airport on the day of the mishap about 1100 hours as a local area traffic pattern practice flight. In a telephone interview, the aircraft owner stated that he holds a flight instructor certificate and was showing another flight instructor, who has no tail wheel experience, how to land a conventional gear aircraft. The aircraft owner was in the right seat while the second flight instructor occupied the left seat. The owner reported that they had performed several touch-and-go landings with the second flight instructor manipulating the flight controls. On the accident landing, the aircraft had just touched down on the main wheels when a crosswind gust lifted the left wing. The flying pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft and it veered to the right, ran off the runway, and struck a runway sign with the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2295K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2295K), registered now, S/N 5022, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8EZ - 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: 5022 - Airframe hours: 1482 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Herbert A. Becker - Registered owner: Herbert A. Becker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1993, 91 hours before - Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Fld, runway 3R, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,365 total, 85 in this make and model, 8,310 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 12 knots - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC ## 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 19940312004869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940312004869A), Mar 12, 1994: Bbavia STC8, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. CFI was teaching other CFI how to fly tail draggers. Wind lifted wing on landing unable correct. Hit sign off runway 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.