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WPR13CA150

2013-03-13 · Madera, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KMAE

Current FAA registration · N1544K

Make / Model
LUSCOMBE 8A
Year of manufacture
1946 · 67 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560630
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0DBF9

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after a series of uneventful touch-and-go landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he decided to perform a full stop landing. As he transitioned from the landing to ground roll, he applied pressure to the foot brakes, and the airplane swerved and departed the runway. The left wing made contact with the ground, and was substantially damaged along with the aft fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, after a series of uneventful touch-and-go landings, he decided to perform a fullstop landing. As he transitioned from the landing to the ground roll, he applied pressure to the foot brakes, and the airplane swerved and departed the runway. The left wing impacted the ground and was substantially damaged along with the aft fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_WPR13CA150.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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