Loss of Control on Ground: Luscombe 8A, N25100; accident occurred August 30, 2019 at Ernest A. Love Field Airport (KPRC), Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona

View of damage to the right wing rear spar 

 Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N25100

Location: Prescott, AZ
Accident Number: GAA19CA568
Date & Time: 08/30/2019, 1300 MST
Registration: N25100
Aircraft: Luscombe 8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal


Analysis

The pilot stated that, during a wheel landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right and then veered right, and he "apparently over-corrected" to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent overapplication of rudder pedal, which resulted in a runway excursion and the right wing striking the ground.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Rudder control system - Incorrect use/operation (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 76, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/12/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/28/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 11000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 500 hours (Total, this make and model), 10700 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Glider
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/21/2015
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 0 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Luscombe
Registration: N25100
Model/Series: 8 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1024
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C-85
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 85 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: KPRC, 5052 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1953 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 209°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 9500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Prescott, AZ (PRC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Prescott, AZ (PRC)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:  MST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Prescott Rgnl - Ernest A Love (PRC)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5045 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21L
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 7619 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.654722, -112.419167 (est)