Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control, and his excessive braking during the landing rollout.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, during the landing roll on runway 23, he overcompensated for a left crosswind and the tailwheel-equipped airplane departed the right side of the runway. The student pilot also stated that he applied brake pressure “too forcefully,” and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and tail section. The student pilot further reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. He also reported 82 hours of total flight experience, 25 of which were in make and model. The winds reported around the time of the accident, about 8 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 170 degrees at 4 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA334 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 26, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gordonsville, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Gordonsville Municipal Airport (KGVE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A
- N-number
- N1516B
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.