LUSCOMBE 8E near Westport, WA — 2012-04-07

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate crosswind compensation, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, because of the left 10- to 15-knot quartering headwind, on short final approach, he descended at an airspeed about 5 knots faster than normal. The airplane bounced upon touching down on the runway and began drifting toward the runway’s edge. Despite the pilot’s efforts to stop the drift, the airplane exited the side of the runway, rolled onto an adjacent grassy area and into a 1-foot-deep trough, and nosed over. The windshield broke, and the engine mounts, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were bent. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure occurred with the airplane during the accident flight.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-flare/touchdown

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