# NTSB SEA92LA208: Luscombe 8A, N39039, Gates, OR, September 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1992, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Gates, OR
- Coordinates: 44.740245, -122.389328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7402&lon=-122.3893&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 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA208

## Probable cause

THE EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE PILOTS VISUAL (MIS)PERCEPTION OF RUNWAY GRADIENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT THE PILOT IN COMMAND PERCEIVED AN UPHILL GRADIENT AS WELL AS A 5-10 KNOT WIND OUT OF THE WEST. CHOOSING TO LAND TO THE EAST DUE TO THE GRADIENT HE TOUCHED DOWN WITHIN THE FIRST 25% OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE ROLLOUT HE 'APPLIED BRAKES, (BUT THE) AIRCRAFT WAS GOING TOO FAST AND FLIPPED OVER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39039-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 1800, built 1941 (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: 1800
- Airframe hours: 1458
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wirt, Daniel P.
- Registered owner: Wirt, Daniel P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 18 hours before
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Airport: 6S4, Davis, runway 7, 1,940 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 31 in this make and model, 449 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920920037569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920920037569A), Sep 20, 1992: Luscom 8A, Gates, OR, Substantial damage. Landed downwind due to perceived uphill gradient. Applied heavy braking to stop on runway. 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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