NTSB Factual Report

On December 18, 2003, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Luscombe 8E, N1338B, veered off runway 31L on the landing rollout, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest inverted at the Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV), San Jose, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed the Hollister Municipal Airport (3O7), Hollister, California, about 1045.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he made a normal, straight-in approach to the runway, where he completed a three-point landing. During the landing roll, the right main gear and wing lifted. He corrected with right aileron, and the airplane began turning to the right. He then applied left rudder; however, he had released backpressure on the stick during the right aileron correction, and the rudder application was ineffective. The airplane then traveled off of the runway, impacted a taxiway sign, and came to rest inverted. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.