NTSB CEN22LA079 — 2021-12-13 · Ellinwood, Kansas, United States

Current FAA registration · N1616K

Make / Model: LUSCOMBE 8A
Year of manufacture: 1946 · 75 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19580314
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A0F899

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N1616K Luscombe 8A None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on dry grass, the brakes “locked up” and “over we went.” The airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration after the accident that the brakes worked better than he expected, and there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the brakes and that both wheels spun freely. A postaccident examination of the accident site showed no signs of disturbed terrain prior to the location of where the airplane came to rest inverted. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_CEN22LA079.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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