# NTSB ANC06LA094: Luscombe 8E, N2438K, Willow, AK, July 20, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2006, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.756942, -150.05278
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7569&lon=-150.0528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA094

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during landing, which resulted in an undershoot and an in-flight collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot was landing at a private airstrip during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 local area personal flight.  He reported that while landing to the south, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend into an area that contained trees, about 25 feet short of the airstrip.  As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.  The pilot noted in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 2006, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Luscombe 8E airplane, N2438K, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip about 5 miles east of Willow, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Birchwood, Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 0820.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 20, the pilot reported that while landing to the south, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend into an area that contained trees, about 25 feet short of the airstrip.  As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot noted in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2438K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2438K), registered now, S/N 5165, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5165
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter T. Pupator
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BCV, Chugiak, AK
- Destination: Willow, AK
- Airport: runway 18, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 416 total, 160 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 20060720014659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060720014659A), Jul 20, 2006: Luscom 8E, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The Private pilot departed birchwood airport (bpcw) at 0820 LCL for a Private airstrip approximately 6 miles east of the Willow airport (paou). While…

## Other investigations on N2438K (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 CHI70DDJ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70DDJ28), Jun 16, 1970: Luscombe 8E (N2438K), Wayside, WI, substantial damage

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.

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