Chiloquin, OR, USA
C-FHUH
Luscombe T8F
The pilot reported that while en route the weather began to deteriorate. Instead of continuing, the pilot noticed a gravel road and circled the area in preparation for a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that while on final approach, the winds were gusty and he noticed two posts on the road. The pilot over shot the landing spot and initiated a go-around. During the climbing left turn, the pilot believed that the now tailwind gusts resulted in the aircraft settling uncontrolled, in a left wing low attitude, to the ground. Upon ground collision, the aircraft cart wheeled and came to rest in an upright position.
On March 26, 2004, about 1020 Pacific standard time, a Luscombe T8F, C-FHUH, registered to the passenger and flown by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain near Chiloquin, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed from Eugene, Oregon, about 0830. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that while en route to Klamath Falls, Oregon, the weather began to deteriorate in the direction of travel (southerly). Instead of continuing, the pilot noticed a gravel road and circled the area in preparation for a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that while on final approach, the winds were gusty and he noticed two posts on the road. The pilot over shot the landing spot and initiated a go-around. During the climbing left turn, the pilot believed that the now tailwind gusts resulted in the aircraft settling uncontrolled, in a left wing low attitude, to the ground. Upon ground collision, the aircraft cart wheeled and came to rest in an upright position. Local Klamath County Sheriff's Department personnel responded to the accident site shortly after the accident, and reported heavy snow flurries and at times, visibility was less than one quarter mile due to low clouds. A moderate wind was reported coming from a southerly direction. Klamath Falls International Airport (LMT), located 27 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, was reporting the weather conditions at 0953 as the wind from 200 degrees at 13 knots. Visibility was 10 miles. The sky conditions were broken at 4,000 feet and overcast at 7,000 feet. The temperature was 38 degrees F. At 1036 the weather was reported as the wind from 190 degrees at 12 knots. Visibility was 5 miles with light snow. The sky conditions were overcast at 3,500 feet. The temperature was 39 degrees F.
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a downwind turn resulting in a stall-mush and collision with the ground. Wind gusts were a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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