NTSB Factual Report

On August 21, 2003, at 1530 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N25342, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage while landing on runway 02 (3,300 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at the Macon-Fower Memorial Airport (K89), Macon, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Blosser Municipal Airport (CNK), Concordia, Kansas, at 1250.

According to the pilot's written statement, he performed a three-point landing and after touchdown the airplane encountered a "crosswind gust." The pilot reported that the airplane "veered" to the left and he "overcontrolled" with right rudder input, resulting in the airplane departing the right side of the runway and traveling down an embankment. The pilot stated the airplane impacted a tree and spun 180 degrees before coming to a stop.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

An automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Kirksville Regional Airport (IRK), located 22.2 nm south of the accident site, recorded the following information:

At 1455: Wind 280 degrees true at 6 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; sky clear; temperature 38 degrees Celsius; dew point of 20 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.

At 1555: Wind 350 degrees true at 7 knots; 10 statute mile visibility; few clouds at 8,500 feet above ground level (agl); temperature 38 degrees Celsius; dew point of 21 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of the rudder, which resulted in directional control not being maintained during the landing. A factor to the accident was the crosswind gust.