Probable cause
The failure of the landing gear/ski attachment assembly due to inadequate maintenance.
NTSB analysis
The pilot took off in his ski-equipped airplane. Upon accelerating through 65 mph, just as the airplane was beginning to climb, the pilot heard a noise coming from the side of the airplane. He saw that the tip of a ski was dislodged from its normal position, and was upside down. After evaluating the situation, the pilot decided to land on the same ski runway. As the airplane decelerated following touchdown, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane swerved and nosed over. During the subsequent examination of the airplane, a bungee cable, used to secure and position one of the skis to the landing gear strut, was found too long. The ski assembly shock cords on the skis were found to be in poor condition, aged, and weak.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA051 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 20, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Brigham City, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Brigham City (BMC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Luscombe 8E
- N-number
- N71730
- 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.