Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent application of the brakes during recovery from a ground loop which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to prepare for a biennial flight review. The approach and landing were uneventful; however, on the landing roll, at taxi speed, a strong crosswind gust, which exceeded rudder authority, causing the airplane to ground loop. The pilot applied the brakes which resulted in the airplane nosing over incurring substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage sections. The pilot stated that the wind was variable from 030 to 300 degrees gusting from 12 knots to 22 knots, and there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA199 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 19, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Taunton, Massachusetts
- Nearest airport
- Taunton (TAN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Luscombe 8E
- N-number
- N2790K
- 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.