Luscombe Model 8/Luscombe 50
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2; Flight Crew Total 286; Flight Crew Type 2
Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted
Human Factors; Weather; Aircraft
I arrived at the airport for a solo flight to practice maneuvers. I ran a pre-flight inspection and fueled the aircraft. It was morning. The AWOS was reporting winds of 10/11 MPH. This [is] beyond my personal limits and I decided not to fly. I stayed at the airport to clean the plane and had a late breakfast at the airport restaurant. Around midday the AWOS was reporting winds of 5 and below. This is within my personal limits and I decided to fly. I did another pre-flight inspection; rechecked the AWOS; taxied to the runway and did a run-up. On the CTAF I announced my intention to enter the runway; takeoff; and depart to the west. I took off; turned to the west; climbed to 4;000 feet and flew about 10 miles from the airport to practice maneuvers; i.e. S-turns; turn around a point and slow flight. Throughout the flight the thermal activity increased. After an hour of being beat up by the thermals I decided to call it a day and head back. I listened to the AWOS as I approached the visual reporting point. Once there; on the CTAF; I announced my position and my intention to enter a right downwind for a landing on the [favored runway]. I again announced my position when entering the downwind; on base and on final. Because of the thermals I carried an extra 5 MPH into final. Over the numbers I received a few bounces; but the touchdown was two wheel and gentle. The plane bounced slightly; I rounded out again and the plane settled into a three point landing. Almost immediately the plane veered sharply to the left. I applied hard right rudder but it was apparent I was going to going to leave the runway. I went to full power in an attempt to regain control and possibly fly away; but by this time I was bouncing sideways and 65 HP was not going to be enough. I left the runway. The right gear collapsed; the right wing tip hit the ground and bent as the plane came to a halt. I was about 70 feet south of the runway; facing the opposite direction from which I had come. I pulled back the power; cut the mags and turned off the fuel. The right gear leg had broken just above the axle. There was no prop strike or engine damage. Everything stayed connected to the plane; so there was no debris field. There was no damage to the airport. I was uninjured. I believe the entire ugly mess could have been avoided had I not gone flying in such a light plane; in the hot and thermally conditions that existed on this day. Being from [my home state] I simply was unprepared for the conditions presented by the extremes of the summer [weather activity here]. Since the ground loop incident I've heard from many pilots [where I had the groundloop] who say; in the summer they only fly in the very early morning; if at all. In the next few months that it will take to repair my plane; I intend to get some dual stick time with and checked out by [a flight instructor who specializes in Luscombes]. Also I will not fly my plane until September/October when conditions improve.
Luscombe pilot reports a groundloop during landing resulting in a runway excursion that causes damage to the right gear and wing.