# NTSB SEA08CA214: Laird LC-1B-300, N10402, Spokane, WA, September 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 30, 2008, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.676387, -117.322502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6764&lon=-117.3225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69217/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA214 ## Probable cause The pilot’s misjudged landing flare that resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the impact related failure of the tail wheel spring attachment bolts due to overload, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear attach section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Laird LC-1B-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221/cases.md?model=5070110), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Laird LC-1B-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5070110), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Laird LC-1B-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5070110), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Laird LC-1B-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5070110), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Laird LC-1B-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5070110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane bounced and became airborne after landing firmly on the runway. As the airplane settled back onto the runway it veered to the left despite his control inputs. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway and ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged. The tail wheel rudder spring attachment bolts were found separated and were located on the runway. The fracture surfaces of the bolts were consistent with overload. The pilot reported no pre accident anomalies with the flight control system. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the airplane bounced and became airborne after landing firmly on the runway. As the airplane settled back onto the runway it veered to the left despite his control inputs. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway and ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged. The tail wheel rudder spring attachment bolts were found separated and were located on the runway. The fracture surfaces of the bolts were consistent with overload. The pilot reported no pre accident anomalies with the flight control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10402](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10402), registered now, S/N 188, built 1930 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LAIRD LC-1B-300 - Registry model: [Laird LC-1B-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/laird-lc-1b-300) (registry code 5070110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright 975E-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-975e-1) (registry code 67014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188 - Airframe hours: 1700 - Engines: WRIGHT 975E-1 365 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Howard Larry E - Registered owner: Howard Larry E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2008, 25 hours before - Departed: WN92, Spokane, WA - Destination: WN92, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Field Airport, runway 21L, 3,059 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2008; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,063 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SFF ## 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 20080930848049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080930848049A), Sep 30, 2008: Laird LC1B300, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated he was landing on runway 21L at the Spokane Felts Field (sff) airport. He contacted the runway he characterized… 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.