# NTSB NYC96LA030: Luscombe 8A, N1109K, Kutztown, PA, November 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1995, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.519462, -75.769165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5195&lon=-75.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA030

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll resulting in the airplane nosing over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED, '[I] MADE A SMOOTH LANDING ON TURF RUNWAY 28, APPLIED BRAKES TOO HEAVILY ON FROST TURF BEFORE TAIL WAS DOWN.  SLID FOR SOME LENGTH AND THEN NOSED OVER.'  ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On November 25, 1995, about 0830 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N1109K, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during the landing roll at the Kutztown Airport, Kutztown, Pennsylvania.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed from New Hanover, Pennsylvania.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated in the NTSB form 6120.1/2:

... [I] Made a smooth landing on turf runway 28,      applied brakes too heavily on frost turf before tail      was down.  Slid for some length and then nosed over.

The pilot further stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Additionally, according to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 28 was a 2280 foot long, and 200 foot wide turf runway with trees at both ends.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1109K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1109K), registered now, S/N 3836, built 1946 (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: 3836
- Airframe hours: 952
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Goodwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1995, 20 hours before
- Departed: N62, NEW HANOVER, PA
- Destination: N31, PA
- Airport: N31, Kutztown, runway 28, 2,280 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 5 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F

## 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 19951125038399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951125038399A), Nov 25, 1995: Luscom 8A, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. Applied too much brake too soon with tail up landing. Slid on icy turf and nosed over.

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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