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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 30, 2003 · Luscombe 8A · N1954B

Maquoketa, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Maquoketa, IA
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N1954B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA295

The airplane nosed over while landing on runway 33. The pilot reported the airplane "touched down smoothly on the [main landing gear]" and he held some forward control stick to keep the main landing gear on the runway. The pilot reported that during the landing rollout the airplane began to drift to the left and he "applied right brake" to correct the drift. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the right" and he "applied left brake without releasing the [right brake]." The airplane immediately nosed over on the runway centerline. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. The local winds were recorded as 040 degrees true at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's excessive use of the brake system, which resulted in directional control not being maintained during the landing. A factor to the accident was the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2003, at 0746 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N1954B, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over while landing on runway 33 (3,300 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at the Maquoketa Municipal Airport (OQW), Maquoketa, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Erie Air Park (3H5), Erie, Illinois, at 0700. According to the pilot's written statement, while on final approach to the runway the airplane had a "considerable crab angle" in order to maintain the extended runway centerline. The pilot stated the airplane "touched down smoothly on the [main landing gear]" and he held some forward control stick to keep the main landing gear on the runway. The pilot reported that during the landing rollout the airplane began to drift to the left and he "applied right brake" to correct the drift. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the right" and he "applied left brake without releasing the [right brake]." The airplane immediately nosed over on the runway centerline. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. The automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Dubuque Regional Airport, located approximately 21 nautical miles north of OQW, recorded the following information at 0748: Wind 040 degrees true at 8 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; broken clouds at 2,600 and 5,000 feet above ground level (agl); temperature 17 degrees Celsius; dew point of 15 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.28 inches-of-mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:46 CDT
Nearest AirportMaquoketa Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN1954B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 59
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time12:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data