Probable cause
The inadvertent slippage of the pilot's foot off the right rudder pedal, resulting in a loss of directional control on the ground, and the pilot's overly aggressive application of wheel brakes, resulting in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on the runway and his foot slipped off the right rudder pedal, resulting in a swerve to the left. He applied wheel brakes to slow the airplane, and thought that he might enter a pond at the end of the runway. He applied the brakes aggressively, and the airplane nosed over. A post accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA286 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 13, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Dry Swamp Airport (1DS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Luscombe 8A
- N-number
- N71232
- 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.