Luscombe 8
Heber, UT — June 1, 2019
Event Information
| Date | June 1, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA301 |
| Event ID | 20190602X44013 |
| Location | Heber, UT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.48195, -111.42805 |
| Airport | HEBER CITY MUNI - RUSS MCDONAL |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Luscombe |
| Model | 8 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind, the airplane veered to the left. He added right rudder, which slowed the veer, but observed that the airplane was going to depart the runway. He added full power and right rudder to abort the landing. The airplane became airborne, but "stopped the climb, and slid tail first onto the ground." The right main landing gear collapsed, and the propeller and the right wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 010° at 10 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 340° at 14 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 04.
It is likely that during the aborted landing, the pilot aerodynamically stalled the airplane.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.