Aviation Accident Summary ERA11CA053

Hot Springs, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N71102

LUSCOMBE 8A

Analysis

According to the pilot, he maneuvered the airplane into a slip configuration while on final approach in an effort to compensate for a crosswind. He landed on runway 25 with using a wheel-landing technique, where the main landing gear touchdown first and the tail gear follows during the landing roll. During the roll out, as the airplane slowed, a gust of wind struck its right side. The airplane began to veer to the right and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with full left rudder and opposing aileron. The airplane continued to veer to the right and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. As a result of the accident sequence, the airplane incurred damage to the left wing, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 14, gusting to 19 knots.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, he was compensating for a crosswind final approach by positioning the tailwheel-equipped airplane into a "steady slip." He landed on runway 25 with a “wheel landing technique,” and during the rollout, as the airplane slowed, a gust of wind struck its right side. The airplane began to veer to the right, and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with full left rudder and opposing aileron, but the airplane continued to veer to the right. The pilot was about to add power "to get some prop blast over the rudder and increase its authority," but the airplane skidded, flipped over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 14, gusting to 19 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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