# NTSB WPR16LA141: Luscombe 8A, N2759K, Minden, NV, July 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2016, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.000278, -119.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0003&lon=-119.7519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 25, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93611 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93611/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93611 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA141 ## Probable cause The failure of a main landing gear leg during takeoff due to corrosion, which resulted in a nose-over during the subsequent landing on a grassy area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that, during the takeoff rotation, he heard a noise that seemed to be coming from the landing gear. Once airborne, the passenger observed the right wheel, including the axle assembly, hanging sideways from a brake cable. The pilot subsequently landed on a grassy area between the runway and a taxiway with the left wheel first, holding the right side off the ground as long as possible. The right main landing gear (MLG) leg then contacted the ground and skidded for about 50 ft before it dug into the grass, which resulted in a nose-over. Postaccident examination of the right MLG leg revealed that it failed at the axle cluster, which had internal corrosion; the upper portion of the leg was not sealed. The type certificate holder had issued a service recommendation (SR) over 20 years before the accident that addressed corrosion damage above the axle weld area, which had led to the failure of MLG legs. The owner stated that this SR had not been accomplished on the airplane. It is likely that the accident could have been prevented if the SR had been accomplished even though it was not required by the Federal Aviation Administration. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2016, about 0850 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N2759K, nosed over during a precautionary landing at Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The airline transport pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage as a result of the nose over. The local area flight originated from MEV at 0810. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the takeoff rotation, he heard a noise that seemed to be coming from the landing gear. Once airborne, the passenger observed the right wheel, including the axle assembly, hanging sideways from the brake cable. The pilot made a low pass for ground personnel to confirm the problem, and requested emergency equipment. The pilot flew around the airport for approximately 40 minutes until the emergency equipment was in place. The pilot elected to land on a grassy area between runway 34 and taxiway alpha. The pilot landed on the left wheel first, holding the right side of the airplane off the ground as long as possible. The right gear leg skidded for approximately 50 feet before digging in and causing the airplane to cartwheel onto its back. Post-crash investigation by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main gear leg failed at the axle cluster. The inspector observed internal corrosion within the axle cluster of the main gear leg. He noted that the upper portion of the leg was not sealed. The information provided indicated that the failed cluster had current Univair aircraft corporation part numbers and nomenclature. The Type Certificate holder provided a copy of a Service Recommendation (SR) #4 issued on January 22, 1996. The purpose of the SR was to facilitate the annual inspection of the Luscombe landing gear. It noted that corrosion damage within the 2 inches above the axle weldment had led to failure of the main landing gear legs. The SR provided instructions to examine for compromised structure. It also provided a solution by drilling a hole in the metal to allow moisture to drain out, and let drying air flow in to keep corrosion to a minimum. The owner stated that this SR had not been accomplished on this airplane. Compliance with the SR was not required by federal regulations for this type of operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2759K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2759K), registered now, S/N 5486 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5486 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3008 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 2016 - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden, runway 34, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,400 total, 220 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KMEV ## 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 20160717025349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160717025349A), Jul 17, 2016: Luscombe 8E, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. During take off rotation, the pilot heard a noise that seemed to be coming from landing gear. Once airborne, the passenger observed the right wheel, including… ## Other investigations on N2759K (2) 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 DEN85LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA030), Nov 22, 1984: Luscombe 8E (N2759K), Oaks, ND, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN84LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA015), Oct 25, 1983: Luscombe 8E (N2759K), Oakes, ND, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93611. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 485 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Luscombe Service Recommendation #4 (item 3, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Luscombe%20Service%20Recommendation%20%234-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.