On June 9, 2001, a Luscombe 8E (registration N1614K) was involved in an aviation accident near Longmont, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a student solo cross-country flight, the airplane veered off the runway after landing, crossing a median with prairie dog holes. The right main landing gear was torn off, and the skin and gear box were damaged. A 12-knot tailwind was recorded at the time.
Accident Details
The pilot was returning from a student solo cross-country flight. Upon landing, the airplane touched down and immediately veered off the left side of the runway. It crossed the median, which was covered with prairie dog holes. The right main landing gear was torn off during the excursion, and wrinkles appeared in the skin and gear box.
Weather Conditions
recorded wind at a nearby airport was from 110 degrees at 12 knots. For the landing on runway 29, this resulted in a direct tailwind of 12 knots.
Damage Assessment
Examination of the aircraft revealed the right main landing gear had been completely torn off. Additionally, there were wrinkles in the skin and gear box structure, indicating structural stress during the event.