# NTSB SEA97LA073: Luscombe 8A, N1184K, Arlington, WA, March 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1997, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.180107, -121.670097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1801&lon=-121.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA073

## Probable cause

Landing long (improper touchdown point) and collapse of the main landing gear during an intentional swerve or groundloop.  Factors include excessive airspeed on approach.

## 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
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was landing on the 1500 foot long grass runway; while on approach to avoid glider operations, he kept too much airspeed and landed long on the grass, which he stated was freshly cut.  He noted that Luscombes have notoriously bad brakes and they did not slow him down sufficiently after touchdown.  As no airplanes were at the end of the runway, he opted to try to steer left.  The right landing gear collapsed at about 15-20 miles per hour.  Witnesses observed that the airplane failed to slow down and ground-looped beyond the end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On March 22, 1997, approximately 1415 Pacific standard time, N1184K, a Luscombe 8A, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped at the end of a grass runway at Arlington, Washington.  The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured.    The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan filed.  The ELT did not actuate.

The pilot stated that he was landing on the 1500 foot long grass runway; while on approach to avoid glider operations, he kept too much airspeed and landed long on the grass, which he stated was freshly cut.  He noted that Luscombes have notoriously bad brakes and they did not slow him down sufficiently after touchdown.  As no airplanes were at the end of the runway, he opted to try to steer left.  The right landing gear collapsed at about 15-20 miles per hour.  Witnesses observed that the airplane failed to slow down and ground-looped beyond the end of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1184K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1184K), registered now, S/N 3911, 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 C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3911
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: Continental C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffery C. Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AWO
- Airport: ARL, Arlington, runway 16, 1,500 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19970322003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970322003489A), Mar 22, 1997: Luscom 8A, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing. (.4) the pilot stated that he was landing on the 1500 foot long grass runway; while on approach to avoid glider operations, he kept…

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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