# Accident 20020717020069A: Luscom 8A, Cordova, AK, July 17, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 17, 2002, 18:00 local time
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.5000° N, 146.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5000&lon=-146.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N45796, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45796) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Luscombe 8A (registry code 8190104, https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOM 8A
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA080) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020717020069A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JULY 17, 2002, AT ABOUT 1800 ADT, A WHEEL EQUIPPED LUSCOMBE, LL-8-A AIRPLANE, N45796, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE FOLLOWING A FAILED TAKE-OFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP ABOUT 31 MILES EAST OF CORDOVA, ALASKA. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PILOT AS A VFR PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER TITLE 14, PART 91, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND THE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT WAS BOUND FOR THE CORDOVA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, CORDOVA, AK. THE PILOT REPORTED THE INITIAL ATTEMPTED TAKE-OFF TO THE SOUTH WEST WAS ABORTED AT MID FIELD BECAUSE HE FELT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT SPACE FOR A SAFE DEPARTURE. HE ALSO STATED, IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT HE FELT BETTER TO TAKE-OFF IN A NORTH EASTERLY DIRECTION SINCE THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES AT THE END AND THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE. THE PILOT STATED A SHORT FIELD TAKE-OFF TECHNIQUE WAS USED AND THE LUSCOMBE LIFTED-OFF BEFORE THE END OF THE RUNWAY AT NORMAL TAKE-OFF SPEED. HE SAID AFTER TAKE-OFF AND FLYING OVER THE WATER, HE FLEW INTO A DOWN DRAFT, THE WHEELS CONTACTED THE WATER AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD NO MECHANICAL FAILURES & THE WEIGHT WAS WITHIN C.G LIMITS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC02LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA080), Jul 18, 2002: Luscombe 8A (N45796), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable runway for takeoff, which precipitated an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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