Pilot Debrief

Luscombe 8 near Sevierville, TN — 2019-07-02

Final reportERA19TA222
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Date
2019-07-02
Location
Sevierville, TN, USA
Airport
GKT
Aircraft
Luscombe 8
Registration
N2352K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and right main landing gear collapse.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane the day before the accident and was practicing maneuvers and landings. During his fifth wheel landing in calm wind, the pilot felt and heard a rumble that he reported sounded like a "machine gun" when the tailwheel touched down. The airplane continued to track the centerline for about 5 to 6 seconds but then veered right. Subsequently, the pilot applied left rudder, the airplane veered left off the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right-wing spar sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain. Examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the pilot from maintaining directional control of the airplane; however, the chain and spring assembly on the tailwheel were loose, which likely contributed to the rumble that the pilot experienced when the tailwheel touched down.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected tailwheel condition before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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