# NTSB ANC02LA080: Luscombe 8A, N45796, Cordova, AK, July 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2002, 18:00 local (Jul 18, 2002, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.5, -146.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5000&lon=-146.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Juneau FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55247/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55247 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA080 ## 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. ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off on a 1,000 foot long private gravel strip perpendicular to a river. He said he attempted to takeoff toward the south, but the airplane failed to become airborne in time to clear the obstacles at the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. He attempted a takeoff toward the north, and the airplane lifted off, but failed to climb. He said the runway ended at a 10 to 15 foot high bank that descended into the river, and as the airplane crossed the end of the runway, it settled into the river and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2002, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Luscombe 8A airplane, N45796, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water during takeoff from a private airstrip, about 31 miles east of Cordova, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR 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. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 17, the pilot said the airstrip is gravel, and the departure end is 10 to 15 feet above the Katalla River. He said during takeoff the airplane lifted off the 1,000 foot long runway, and started to climb. As the airplane passed over the end of the runway, it "flew into a sinker," and descended wings level, straight ahead into the river. The pilot said when the main wheels entered the water, the airplane nosed over. He said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident, and reported that the weather at the time of takeoff was clear, unlimited visibility, with light and variable winds. He said the airplane sustained damage to the right wing and aileron during the accident. During a telephone conversation with the IIC on July 31, an FAA aviation safety inspector said he inspected the airplane and found additional damage to the firewall of the airplane. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot reported that he initially tried to takeoff to the south, but with a 65 horsepower engine, and two people aboard, the airplane did not lift off soon enough to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. Attempting a takeoff to the north on the same runway, he reported that the airplane lifted off, but would not climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not attained, pilot in command - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45796](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45796), registered now, S/N 2323, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2323 - Airframe hours: 2282 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert E. Sterner - Registered owner: Robert E. Sterner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2002, 43 hours before - Departed: Katalla AS, AK - Destination: CKU, Cordova, AK - Airport: Katalla Air Strip (private) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 20, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 853 total, 802 in this make and model, 806 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: PACV ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020717020069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020717020069A), Jul 17, 2002: Luscom 8A, Cordova, AK, No damage. (-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… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55247. 724 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.