# NTSB LAX98LA051: Luscombe 8, N2591K, Grass Valley, CA, December 2, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1997, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.110965, -121.119766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1110&lon=-121.1198&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 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA051

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertent activation of the aircraft brakes during the landing rollout.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

On landing rollout the pilot inadvertently activated the aircraft brakes and the aircraft nosed over.  The pilot stated that weather was not a factor, and that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On December 2, 1997 at 1500 hours Pacific standard time, a Luscombe 194E, N2591K, veered off the runway during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over at the Auburn Airport, Grass Valley, California.  The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed.

In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot stated that he inadvertently activated the aircraft brakes during the landing roll and the aircraft nosed over.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft and weather was not a factor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2591K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2591K), registered now, S/N 5318, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8 (A)
- 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: 5318
- Airframe hours: 2680
- Engines: Continental A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph C. Mahlbacher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1997
- Departed: AUN
- Airport: AUN, Auburn, runway 25, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAB, 20 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 19971202043269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971202043269A), Dec 2, 1997: Luscom 8A, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Hit brakes on landing roll. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N2591K (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 OAK70D0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0016), Jun 15, 1969: Luscombe 8F (N2591K), Wilow Creek, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK68F0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68F0026), Jun 13, 1967: Luscombe 8A (N2591K), Suisun, 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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