# NTSB SEA00LA178: Luscombe 8A, N77948, Tacoma, WA, September 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 2000, 17:53 local (Sep 15, 2000, 00:53 UTC) - Place: Tacoma, WA - Coordinates: 47.150917, -122.700965 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1509&lon=-122.7010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50275 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50275/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors include a gusting crosswind. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel aircraft on runway 17 with winds blowing from 250 degrees at 12 knots gusting 17. Although he was able to successfully touch down on the main gear, as he lowered the tailwheel to the runway, the aircraft was hit by a gust from the right, which caused it to weathervane into the wind. As the pilot was attempting to realign the aircraft with the runway, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway surface. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 2000, at 1753 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N77948, experienced a gear collapse during the landing roll at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, Washington, about 20 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was landing on runway 17, the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast was indicating winds from 240 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots. While he was on short final, the tower advised the pilot that the winds were then 230 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17. Although he was able to make a successful touchdown on the main gear, as he lowered the tailwheel to the runway, a right crosswind gust forced the aircraft to begin to weathervane to the right. During his attempt to bring the aircraft back into alignment with the runway, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway surface. According to the tower, at the time the aircraft touched down, the winds had switched back to 250 degrees, and were still blowing at 12 to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77948](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77948), registered now, S/N 3675, 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: 3675 - Airframe hours: 2553 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jonathan B. Phillips - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 2000, 41 hours before - Departed: PWT, BREMERTON, WA - Destination: TIW, TACOMA, WA - Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 27, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 364 total, 137 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.20 inHg ## 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 20000914010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000914010889A), Sep 14, 2000: Luscom 8A, Tacoma, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted landing in gusty crosswind on runway 17 with winds 250 degrees @12K gusting to 17K. After wheel landing, as tail wheel settled, a/c… 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.