# NTSB WPR24LA102: Luscombe 8E, N2669K, Truth or Consequences, NM, February 23, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 23, 2024, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Truth or Consequences, NM · airport environment - Coordinates: 33.235361, -107.26988 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2354&lon=-107.2699&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 193885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193885/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193885 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during approach and landing that resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a berm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 8E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 8E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 8E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was on a personal flight to the accident airport. Upon arrival at the airport, the reported wind from ASOS (Automated Surface Observing Systems) was 330 degrees at 5 knots. He entered a left downwind for runway 31 and had planned to do a wheel touch-and-go landing. The pilot stated that he was slower than intended and over the runway threshold he added power to maintain a wheel landing attitude. He failed to add enough power to fully arrest the descent and had to increase back pressure pitch input to stabilize the descent. The pilot stated that after touchdown the airplane had a slight nose left attitude and began to turn to the left. He corrected with right rudder and added more power to keep a nose-level attitude but was not able to fully correct the left turn. The pilot then applied full power to go around, but the airplane was already too slow to take off and the airplane departed the runway. He reduced all power and attempted to brake but the airplane struck a berm and nosed over coming to rest inverted about 30 ft from the runway edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and tail. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2669K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2669K), registered now, S/N 5396, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E - 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: 5396 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2654 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2023, 10.6 hours before - Departed: BRG, Belen, NM - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TCS, Truth Or Consequences Muni, runway 13/31, 7,202 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 133 total, 13 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KTCS, 20 nm away - METAR: KTCS 231553Z AUTO 36007KT 10SM CLR 08/M08 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP214 T00831078 ## 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 20240223001269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240223001269A), Feb 23, 2024: Luscombe 8E, Truth Or Conseq, NM, Substantial damage. On February 23, 2024, at 0845 MST, a Luscombe 8E, silvaire deluxe, performed a ground loop during its landing roll while attempting a touch and go at Truth Or… ## Other investigations on N2669K (1) 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 DEN85LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA157), Jun 8, 1985: Luscombe 8E (N2669K), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193885. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16828278&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20WPR24LA102_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16829011&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR24LA102-Rel.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.