Luscombe 8A, N71707: Accident occurred November 19, 2019 near Baublitz Commercial Airport (9W8), Brogue, York County, Pennsylvania

 

 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N71707

Location: Brogue, PA
Accident Number: GAA20CA090
Date & Time: 11/19/2019, 1545 EST
Registration: N71707
Aircraft: Luscombe 8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach to the runway, the landing gear struck a wire and the airplane then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. 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 failure to see and avoid wires during approach to landing.

Findings

Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Attention - Pilot

Environmental issues Wire - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)

Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach to the runway, the landing gear struck a wire and the airplane impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage.

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/15/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1129.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 241 hours (Total, this make and model), 1024.1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Luscombe
Registration: N71707
Model/Series: 8 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3134
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats:2 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/24/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1260 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2083.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91A installed
Engine Model/Series:A65 
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 65 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: KLNS, 403 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1653 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 29°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:N/A / N/A 
Altimeter Setting: 29.8 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fallston, MD (W42)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Brogue, PA (9W8)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1521 EST

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Baublitz Commercial (9W8)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 750 ft
Runway Surface Condition:Dry 
Runway Used: 28
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 2493 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

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: 39.852222, -76.486389 (est)