How many accidents has the Luscombe 8A had?

The NTSB has recorded 216 events involving the Luscombe 8A: 27 fatal, 20 serious, 37 minor injuries, and 132 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Luscombe 8A a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Luscombe 8A has 216 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Luscombe 8A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 216 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

216

All Events

132

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (38 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jan 19, 2010	Madison, GA	N2750K	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a tailwind.
Aug 27, 2009	Arcadia, FL	N40VS	Incident	substantial	The pilot's bounced takeoff roll, which resulted in a collapsed landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's overweight condition.
Aug 06, 2009	Eatonville, WA	N28425	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the … The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's lack of an interconnected fuel vent system.
Oct 03, 2008	Greeley, CO	N25342	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the lack of r… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the lack of remedial action from the flight instructor.
Jun 03, 2008	Indiantown, FL	N37012	Incident	substantial	An inadequate annual inspection that failed to detect a damaged rudder cable which resulted in the cable's subsequent failure during takeoff.
Apr 30, 2008	Remus, MI	N28403	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power during approach due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident were the unsuitable terrain and a tree.
Oct 26, 2007	Pensacola, FL	N2099K	Incident	substantial	The fatigue fracture of the tail wheel spring during takeoff.
Aug 31, 2007	Reedley, CA	N1544K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing.
Aug 10, 2007	Mason County, TX	N71283	Incident	substantial	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 ma… 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.
Jun 15, 2007	Columbia, IL	N2850K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, causing a ground loop, subsequent runway excursion, and left main gear collapse. … The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, causing a ground loop, subsequent runway excursion, and left main gear collapse. Factors in the accident include the ground loop encountered and the depression.
May 06, 2007	Whitefield, NH	N1960B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.
Apr 15, 2007	Chippewa Falls, WI	N28428	Incident	substantial	The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane traversing into a cornfield… The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane traversing into a cornfield. A factor was the rough/uneven cornfield.
Jan 15, 2007	El Paso, TX	N1190K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's foot becoming lodged behind the right rudder pedal which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.
Sep 03, 2006	Elwell, MI	N28403	Incident	substantial	The airplane nosed over as a result of the pilot's excessive braking after he failed to attain the proper touchdown point and failed to perform a go-a… The airplane nosed over as a result of the pilot's excessive braking after he failed to attain the proper touchdown point and failed to perform a go-around.
Aug 07, 2005	Otis Orchards, WA	N2094K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control as a result of excessive braking while landing, which resulted in the nose over.
Aug 02, 2005	Benson, AZ	N71780	Incident	substantial	the non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
May 31, 2005	Wagoner, OK	N28784	Incident	substantial	The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing and attempted go-around.
Mar 06, 2005	Lexington, NC	N45524	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive braking during landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. A factor was the tailwind.
Feb 16, 2005	Brookhaven, MS	N39057	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in the airplane ground… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in the airplane ground looping.
Aug 27, 2004	Nampa, ID	N1983B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include the pilot's very low total time in this make and model ai… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include the pilot's very low total time in this make and model aircraft (one hour), and the soft terrain the aircraft encountered along the side of the runway.
Aug 21, 2003	Macon, MO	N25342	Incident	substantial	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 t… 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.
May 15, 2003	Colville, WA	N1977B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions on landing. A contributing factor was a crosswind.
Mar 30, 2003	Sturtevant, WI	N45799	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's abrupt liftoff resulting in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed followed by a stall. Also causal was the instructor's inade… The student pilot's abrupt liftoff resulting in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed followed by a stall. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision.
Nov 03, 2002	Fairbanks, AK	N1933B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the nose over of the airplane.
Jul 18, 2002	Cordova, AK	N45796	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable runway for takeoff, which precipitated an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Luscombe 8A Safety Record

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