No fatalities

19 Aug 2012: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8E — Hillsboro, OR

Hillsboro, OR, United States

On 19 Aug 2012, a SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8E was involved in an aviation accident near Hillsboro, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper use of the brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a 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

While practicing wheel landings on a grass airstrip, a pilot applied brakes with the tailwheel still airborne, causing the airplane to nose over and sustain firewall damage. No preimpact mechanical issues were reported.

Accident Description

A pilot conducted a flight with the purpose of practicing landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a grass airstrip. After departing, the pilot remained in the traffic pattern and configured the airplane for a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the main landing gear touched down on the grass surface while the tailwheel remained airborne. The pilot then applied brake pressure. This action caused the airplane to nose over, resulting in damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft Information

The airplane involved was a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. Specific make, model, and registration were not provided in the source. The pilot noted that the airplane had been operating normally prior to the event, with no indications of any mechanical issues.

Pilot Report

In the aftermath of the event, the pilot stated that the airplane experienced no preexisting mechanical problems. The pilot's account indicates that the nose-over occurred solely due to the application of brakes while the tailwheel was still off the ground. No other contributing factors were mentioned.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation