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 18, 2002	Wahoo, NE	N71677	Incident	substantial	The student, who was a private pilot, used excessive braking during the landing roll.
Dec 07, 2001	Haltom City, TX	N1212B	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Nov 25, 2001	Harrisonville, MO	N77869	Incident	substantial	directional control not maintained be the pilot during landing rollout. The ditch was a contributing factor.
Nov 04, 2001	MILLBROOK, NY	N1147B	Incident	substantial	pilot's inadvertent activation of the right brake during landing roll-out , which caused the airplane to nose over. A factor was the crosswind.
Sep 15, 2000	TACOMA, WA	N77948	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors include a gusting crosswind.
Jul 27, 2000	KINGFISHER, OK	N71620	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the downdraft weather condition.
Jul 08, 2000	WESTMINSTER, MD	N1155B	Incident	substantial	the delayed corrective action by the flight instructor. Factors were the failure of the private pilot to maintain directional control, his failure to… the delayed corrective action by the flight instructor. Factors were the failure of the private pilot to maintain directional control, his failure to use the brakes, and the lack of brakes on the right side for the flight instructor.
Jun 06, 2000	GREENVILLE, TX	N45880	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
Feb 26, 2000	SELMA, CA	N1544K	Incident	substantial	The failure and separation of the right landing gear axle during taxi from landing for undetermined reasons.
Dec 26, 1999	GUALALA, CA	N45886	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush and a collision with the ground.
Apr 06, 1999	FAIRBANKS, AK	N39091	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors in the accident were snow showers and snow-covered terrain.
Mar 29, 1999	ADA, OK	N1212B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive application of the wheel brakes.
Jan 19, 1999	SCHAUMBURG, IL	N2197B	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the snowbank which the airplane contac… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the snowbank which the airplane contacted.
Jul 01, 1998	CHILLICOTHE, MO	N71306	Incident	substantial	the improper use of the engine starting procedure. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot in command's lack of recent experience, the ai… the improper use of the engine starting procedure. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot in command's lack of recent experience, the aircraft not being tied down, the utility pole and guy wire.
May 27, 1998	PAXSON, AK	N1322B	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to a failure of the engine's number 3 intake valve. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landi… A loss of engine power due to a failure of the engine's number 3 intake valve. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Jul 03, 1997	SEMINOLE, TX	N71381	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. A factor was the prevailing quartering tailwind.
Mar 22, 1997	ARLINGTON, WA	N1184K	Incident	substantial	Landing long (improper touchdown point) and collapse of the main landing gear during an intentional swerve or groundloop. Factors include excessive a… Landing long (improper touchdown point) and collapse of the main landing gear during an intentional swerve or groundloop. Factors include excessive airspeed on approach.
Feb 22, 1997	MORGAN, UT	N77947	Incident	substantial	Disconnection of the mixture control wire wound cable sheath. A factor was the abrupt, elevated edge of the highway pavement.
Nov 24, 1996	CHARLOTTE, NC	N1378K	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot maintain directional control of the aircraft, while landing. The proximity of trees was a related factor.
Oct 26, 1996	EL CAJON, CA	N71643	Incident	substantial	unfavorable weather condition(s), which caused the aircraft to descend at a rate that exceeded its climb capability.
Jul 04, 1996	CORSICANA, TX	N71973	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the high wind.
Jun 03, 1996	GREENVILLE, MI	N2887K	Incident	substantial	foreign material, probably due to improper maintenance, which blocked the main fuel metering jet of the carburetor, and resulted in fuel starvation an… foreign material, probably due to improper maintenance, which blocked the main fuel metering jet of the carburetor, and resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
Feb 13, 1996	PUYALLUP, WA	N71836	Incident	substantial	the owner's failure to comply with requirements for annual inspections of the airplane, and the debonding of the right brake lining and subsequent jam… the owner's failure to comply with requirements for annual inspections of the airplane, and the debonding of the right brake lining and subsequent jamming of the lining into the right main wheel.
Nov 25, 1995	KUTZTOWN, PA	N1109K	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll resulting in the airplane nosing over.
Jul 02, 1995	WILLIAMSON, GA	N2853K	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN A WINDSHEAR WAS … THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN A WINDSHEAR WAS ENCOUNTERED.

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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