# NTSB WPR13CA150: Luscombe 8A, N1544K, Madera, CA, March 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2013, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Coordinates: 36.988609, -120.112503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9886&lon=-120.1125&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after a series of uneventful touch-and-go landings, he decided to perform a full stop landing. As he transitioned from the landing to the ground roll, he applied pressure to the foot brakes, and the airplane swerved and departed the runway. The left wing impacted the ground and was substantially damaged along with the aft fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a series of uneventful touch-and-go landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he decided to perform a full stop landing. As he transitioned from the landing to ground roll, he applied pressure to the foot brakes, and the airplane swerved and departed the runway. The left wing made contact with the ground, and was substantially damaged along with the aft fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1544K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1544K), registered now, S/N 4271, 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: 4271 - Airframe hours: 2832 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2013, 5 hours before - Departed: KMAE, Madera, CA - Destination: KMAE, Madera, CA - Airport: KMAE, Madera, runway 30, 5,545 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 667 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KMAE ## 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 20130313003109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130313003109A), Mar 13, 2013: Luscombe 8A, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. On March 13, 2013, Luscombe 8A, N1544K was being operated by the owner and his flight instructor for the purpose of instruction. The owner had just finished… ## Other investigations on N1544K (3) 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. - [NTSB LAX07CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA289), Aug 31, 2007: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Reedley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. - [NTSB LAX00LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA113), Feb 26, 2000: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Selma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure and separation of the right landing gear axle during taxi from landing for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB NYC75FGM47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FGM47), Jun 21, 1975: Luscombe 8A (N1544K), Leechburg, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86418. 412 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390862&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Damage to Aft Fuselage (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20Aft%20Fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Damage to Left Wing (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing-Master.PDF 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.