NTSB Factual Report

On August 9, 2007, about 2013 central daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Luscombe 8A airplane, N71283, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at the Mason County Airport (T92) near Mason, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight departed Mason, Texas, about 1915. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight.

The 219-hour non-instrument rated private pilot reported that after a 20-minute flight in the immediate local area, he elected to return to the airport and stayed in closed-traffic to practice some landings and takeoffs. After performing 6 touch and go landings and one stop and go landing, the pilot set the airplane up for one final full-stop landing. The pilot stated that following a 60 knot approach to runway 17, the airplane touched-down on the numbers, and during the landing roll, as the airspeed was around 20 knots, the airplane veered toward the west side of the runway, as the right wing dropped. The pilot added that he corrected with left rudder and aileron; however, the airplane ground looped to the left.

The pilot reported that the right main landing gear had collapsed inwards, the right wingtip struck the runway and both propeller blades contacted the runway. The pilot was not injured and was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The separation of the right main landing gear was attributed to the failure of a weld in the upper arm due to corrosion. The total time on the 1946-vintage airframe was reported as 3,957-hours. No recent maintenance history was available on the failed landing gear.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who traveled to the accident site, examined the wreckage after the airplane was recovered to a hangar. The inspector confirmed the structural damage to the right wing, the collapsed right landing gear and the damage to both propeller tips.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). This report confirmed that he had accumulated 33-hours in the last 90 days, and 24-hours in the last 30 days. The pilot added that he had a total of 19-hours in this make and model.

The closest weather observation station was at Brady, Texas (KBBD), located 28 miles from the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 1,827 feet msl. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for KBBD was issued at 2005 CDT. It reported: skies clear; visibility 10 statue miles; winds from 150 degrees at 9 knots; temperature 31 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.96 inches of Mercury.

The Facility Directory indicated Runway 17 was 4,606-feet long and 75-feet wide. The runway surface was composed of asphalt. The GPS location of the accident site was at 30 degrees 43 minutes north latitude and 99 degrees 11 minutes west longitude.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of control as result of the collapsed right main landing gear during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the failure of the right main gear as result of corrosion.