Luscombe 8A accident near Seminole, Texas, July 3, 1997
On July 3, 1997 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Luscombe 8A, registered N71381, was substantially damaged in an accident near Seminole, Texas (Gaines County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. A factor was the prevailing quartering tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 1997 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Seminole, Texas · Gaines County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N71381 · registry record · serial 2808
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses at the airport, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was executing a full stop landing on runway 26. During the landing roll, the pilot lost control of the airplane resulting in a ground loop. The pilot stated that prior to initiating his approach, he had determined that 'the winds were calm since he did not see any clues to indicate he was landing with a quartering tailwind.' The pilot also stated that the tailwheel steering on his heel brake equipped airplane is 'marginal at best' when fully operational, and his was no exception, especially when attempting left turns. The pilot stated that he had accumulated over 700 hours in Luscombes. Witnesses at the airport stated winds at the time of the accident were reported from 090 at approximately 6 to 10 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 700 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DMN Deming NM at 8:05 pm
- Destination: 31F
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 5,378 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.