Accident Summary
On 24 December 2008 at 1345 UTC, a Luscombe 8A Silvaire, registration G-AKTN, overturned during landing at Clacton Airfield, Essex. The aircraft, manufactured in 1946 and powered by a single Continental Motors Corp A65-8 piston engine, was being operated on a private flight with the pilot as the sole occupant. He sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained damage including buckled wings, and damage to the rear fuselage and cockpit area.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The 44-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 164 hours total flying experience, with only 2 hours on the Luscombe 8A type. In the previous 90 days he had flown 4 hours, and 2 hours in the last 28 days. He had approximately 60 hours of experience on tailwheel aircraft. A few weeks before the accident, he had completed a check flight on the same aircraft.
Accident Details
The pilot reported that during the approach and landing, the aircraft floated for a longer period than he had previously experienced and did not decelerate as quickly as expected after touchdown. Toward the end of the landing roll, at an estimated speed of about 20 mph, he applied the brakes. Initially there was no response, then the brakes locked, causing the aircraft to pitch forward onto its back. Weather conditions at the time were described as good, with the wind variable at less than 5 kt and a QNH of 1029 mb.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot considered that the extended float prior to touchdown and his inexperience on this aircraft type, which is not equipped with flaps, were contributory factors in the accident.