# NTSB LAX95LA247: Luscombe 8E, N1050K, Columbia, CA, July 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1995, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109306, -120.379196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1093&lon=-120.3792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA247

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A GUSTY CROSSWIND DURING THE LANDING FLARE, TOUCHED DOWN ABRUPTLY, AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED, WHICH COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGED THE PROPELLER AND RIGHT WING.

## Factual narrative

On July 9, 1995, at 1120 hours Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1050K, sustained substantial damage during a landing roll ground loop at Columbia, California.  The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was on a cross-country flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor her passenger were injured.  The flight originated from the Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California, about 1010 on the day of the accident.

The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered a gusty crosswind during the landing flare.  She said that the aircraft touched down abruptly and that she lost directional control.  After directional control was lost, the aircraft ground looped.  The right main landing gear collapsed and both the propeller and right wing contacted the ground.  The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft without difficulty.  Downdrafts were not forecast at the destination airport.

After the aircraft came to rest, fuel was observed leaking out around the left main tank fuel cap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1050K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1050K), registered now, S/N 3777, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- 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: 3777
- Airframe hours: 2659
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allan S. Eckmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1994, 143 hours before
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: O22
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 191 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 41 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 19950709019949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950709019949A), Jul 9, 1995: Luscom 8E, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional on abrupt landing. Ground looped. Collapsed right main gear. Blamed crosswind gust. None in area.

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.