This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Luscombe 8A.
Location: London, Ohio.
Injuries: 1 minor.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel aircraft on runway 27, which measures 4,001 feet. There was a crosswind coming from the right of the airplane. The pilot said he did not have the airplane properly aligned with the runway centerline when the wheels touched down. His attempts to correct the alignment resulted in pilot-induced oscillations and the airplane swerved to the right. The airplane went off the runway, hit a taxiway sign, then ground looped. The pilot told investigators that he should have initiated a go-around when he realized that the airplane was not aligned with the runway.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind.
