# NTSB WPR26LA044: Luscombe 8A, N1264K, Fresno, CA, November 12, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 11, 2025, 16:50 local (Nov 12, 2025, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.776285, -119.71955 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7763&lon=-119.7195&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 12, 2026 - 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): 202004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202004/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202004 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA044 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper application of left brake pedal during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (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) ## 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 an uneventful landing, as the airplane was decelerating, he intended to turn off the runway onto the left taxiway. While using the brakes to slow the airplane he applied hard left pedal and the airplane ground looped to the left. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the pavement, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1264K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1264K), registered now, S/N 3991, 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: 3991 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1846.91 - Engines: Continental C-85E 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2025 - Departed: APY, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FAT, Fresno Yosemite Intl, runway 29L, 7,205 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: none; airline transport, private, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 28,420 total, 434 in this make and model, 21,272 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KFAT - METAR: METAR KFAT 120053Z 20003KT 9SM SCT080 BKN130 BKN200 23/13 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP156 VIRGA OHD T02280133 $ ## 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 20251111017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251111017279A), Nov 11, 2025: Luscombe 8A, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. During the post landing taxi, the pilot in command of the subject aircraft was attempting to turn off the runway and ground looped the aircraft. Pilot was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202004. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19644490&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20_11-22-2025_signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19649692&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA044-Pilot-PhoneCall-ROC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19890121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA044-Photos-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.