# NTSB WPR16LA004: Silvaire Luscombe 8F, N9918C, Georgetown, CA, October 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 2015, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, CA - Coordinates: 38.920833, -120.864723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9208&lon=-120.8647&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA004 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion. ## 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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190130), [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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190130), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8190130), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=8190130), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190130), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190130), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the private pilot were conducting a biennial flight review in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that he conducted a normal three-point landing but that, a few seconds later, the airplane bounced and, shortly thereafter, it veered about 30 degrees right. The pilot applied full power as the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane then impacted sloping terrain adjacent to the runway, slid down it, and came to rest. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 2015, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Silvaire Luscombe 8F, N9918C, veered off the runway surface during the landing roll at Georgetown Airport (E36), Georgetown, California. The pilot, who was the registered owner of the airplane, and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries; the tailwheel equipped airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from E36 about 1115. In a written report, the pilot stated that he had conducted two flights that day in the tailwheel equipped airplane; the first flight where he was the sole occupant of the airplane, and the second flight with the flight instructor for the purpose of conducting a biennial flight review. During the second flight, the pilot assumed a role of the pilot-in-command, as the flight instructor's medical certificate was not current. However, the 14 CFR 61.23(b)(5) states that "A person is not required to hold a medical certificate when exercising the privileges of flight instructor certificate if the person is not acting as pilot-in-command or serving as required pilot flight crewmember." The airplane was equipped with a bench seat that was adjusted for the pilot's height; therefore the flight instructor, who was shorter than the pilot, was unable to reach the rudder pedals. Prior to the flight, the pilot offered to acquire a cushion for the flight instructor, but the flight instructor declined. The pilot stated that the departure and local area flight had been uneventful, and that the three-point landing on runway 34 was normal. However, a few seconds later the airplane bounced slightly but did not require any rudder pedal input. Shortly thereafter, the airplane veered 30 degrees to the right. The pilot applied full power as the airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted the ground on a downhill slope adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the aircraft prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9918C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9918C-2017-01-18), registration cancelled 2017-01-18, S/N S-22, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8F - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: S-22 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2980 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Spencer Douglas J - Registered owner: Spencer Douglas J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2014 - Departed: E36, Georgetown, CA - Destination: E36, Georgetown, CA - Airport: E36, Georgetown, runway 34, 2,980 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,105 total, 82 in this make and model, 2,006 as pilot in command, 32.5 in the last 90 days, 4.2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KAUN, 10 nm away ## 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 20151007021869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151007021869A), Oct 7, 2015: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F, Georgetown, CA, Substantial damage. During a flight review the pilot was demonstrating landings and lost control of the aircraft causing an accident. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92135. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 813 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Flight Experience - 6120.1 page 9 (item 2, .PDF, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Flight%20Experience%20-%206120.1%20page%209-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation -Flight Instructor (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20-Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - FAA Phone Interview with Flight Instructor (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Phone%20Interview%20with%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos of the Airplane (item 6, .PDF, 4 photos, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20%20the%20Airplane-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.