Luscombe 8 N1211B accident near Fulton, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, a wind gust pushed the airplane left. The pilot added partial throttle to enhance rudder effectiveness but was unsuccessful. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located 10 miles west of the accident airport reported that, about 31 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 13 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 29 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots and that the peak wind 4 minutes before the accident was from 190° at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA524 for the full record.