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
Jun 09, 1995	FARMINGTON, NM	N1143B	Incident	substantial	FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Mar 25, 1995	ZANESVILLE, OH	N45631	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing after landing. Related factors were the unfavorable (gusty) wind condition, and… the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing after landing. Related factors were the unfavorable (gusty) wind condition, and the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions.
Sep 24, 1994	BYERS, CO	N71245	Incident	substantial	FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING APPROACH TO LANDING. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MAKE, MODEL, AND TYPE OF AIRCRAF… FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING APPROACH TO LANDING. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MAKE, MODEL, AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
Jun 09, 1994	PEORIA, IL	N72009	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged landing flare. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot allowing the airplane to descend at an excessive rate.
Oct 07, 1993	BRISTOL, IN	N71492	Incident	substantial	the pilot's abrupt maneuver (intentional swerve) and main gear collapse during the landing roll on a short grass strip.
Sep 20, 1992	GATES, OR	N39039	Incident	substantial	THE EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE PILOTS VISUAL (MIS)PER… THE EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE PILOTS VISUAL (MIS)PERCEPTION OF RUNWAY GRADIENT.
Sep 17, 1992	COLUMBIA, CA	N39087	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LOW SPEED PORTION OF THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT… THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LOW SPEED PORTION OF THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF BRAKE PEDALS AT THE INSTRUCTOR'S SEAT POSITION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT.
Mar 15, 1992	VANCOUVER, WA	N1127B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER RATE OF DESCENT.
Feb 21, 1992	ALPENA, MI	N1405K	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. RELATED FACTORS ARE HIS MISJUDGED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Dec 07, 1991	SOUTHLAKE, TX	N45722	Incident	substantial	THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER AIRSPEED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING… THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER AIRSPEED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Oct 11, 1991	RAWLINS, WY	N2015B	Incident	substantial	AN INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GUSTS AND CROSSWIND.
Jul 25, 1991	LAKE GENEVA, WI	N28580	Incident	substantial	AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A QUARTERING TAILWIND.
Apr 19, 1991	CLARK FORK, ID	N45656	Incident	destroyed	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE IN CRUISE LIGHT RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH A WIRE AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDI… THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE IN CRUISE LIGHT RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH A WIRE AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN A RIVER.
Apr 12, 1991	FIBRE, MI	CGWGZ	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO TAXI ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Jan 19, 1991	BAKERSFIELD, CA	N71745	Incident	substantial	THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING CROSSWIND.
Oct 06, 1990	ASHLAND, KS	N45606	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S EXCEEDING THE PROPER CLIMB RATE OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND HIS NOT MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO PREVENT A STALL.
Sep 06, 1990	LEBANON, IL	N2229B	Incident	substantial	the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while executing a go-around with insufficient runway remaining for a forced landing. A factor in th… the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while executing a go-around with insufficient runway remaining for a forced landing. A factor in the accident was the structures at the end of the runway that the pilot was attempting to avoid. This report was modified on February 9, 2005.
Jul 12, 1990	LOGAN, UT	N45537	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK O… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.
Apr 18, 1990	FREDERICK, MD	N71231	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND USED EXCESSIVE BRAKING TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL.
Oct 29, 1989	WINDHAM, CT	N1160K	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACHIEVE PROPER LIFT-OFF SPEED.
Jul 18, 1989	ITHACA, NY	N71793	Incident	substantial	A LOSS OF CONTROL ON TAKEOFF DUE TO IMPROPER TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES.
May 13, 1989	BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV	N2943K	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITION BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE WIND GUSTS ENCOUNTERED DURING LANDING FLARE.
Apr 12, 1989	ST AUGUSTINE, FL	N311P	Incident	substantial	FUEL CONTAMINATION. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE TREE.
Jul 23, 1988	BURLESON, TX	N25236	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 17, 1987	JUNEAU, AK	N2507K	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

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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