No fatalities

3 May 2011: LUSCOMBE 8E — Apex, NC

Apex, NC, United States

On 3 May 2011, a LUSCOMBE 8E was involved in an aviation accident near Apex, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s excessive application of the brakes, which caused the airplane to nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a full stop landing, a private pilot applied brakes aggressively, causing the tail to lift and the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft flipped over and came to rest inverted, with substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings.

Accident Details

A private pilot was conducting a full stop landing. The pilot reported that after a normal landing and lowering the tail, the airplane was rolling fast on the centerline with approximately 300 to 400 feet of runway remaining. The pilot then applied the brakes aggressively, which lifted the tail and caused the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft subsequently flipped over and came to rest inverted.

Damage Assessment

The inverted landing resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings. No other damage was reported.

Post-Accident Examination

A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The aircraft was otherwise deemed to have been in working condition.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilot