Loss of Control on Ground: Luscombe 8F Silvaire, N1489B, accident occurred July 26, 2018 at Lawrenceville/Brunswick Municipal Airport (KLVL), Virginia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N1489B

Location: LAWRENCEVILLE, VA 
Accident Number: GAA18CA448
Date & Time: 07/26/2018, 1530 EDT
Registration: N1489B
Aircraft: Luscombe 8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as soon as the main landing gear touched down, the airplane veered left. He tried to correct with right rudder, but the airplane exited the runway to the left into the grass and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 230° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 36.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a tailwind.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Attain/maintain not possible (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tailwind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Runway excursion
Roll over

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/06/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/20/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1089.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 158.6 hours (Total, this make and model), 1013.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6.4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Luscombe
Registration: N1489B
Model/Series: 8 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1948
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 6116
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/14/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:  1400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3588.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C90-12F
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 90 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLVL, 329 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1935 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 338°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4300 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 230°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Smoketown, PA (S37)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: LAWRENCEVILLE, VA (LVL)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1246 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: LAWRENCEVILLE/BRUNSWICK MUNI (LVL)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 328 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3020 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 36.772778, -77.793889 (est)