# NTSB ATL85FA169: Luscombe 8-A, N28428, Columbiana, AL, May 18, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 1985, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Columbiana, AL - Coordinates: 33.169212, -86.599205 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1692&lon=-86.5992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 6612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6612/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA169 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, other institution (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - inattentive, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, other institution (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - inattentive, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE AIRSTRIP IS USED PRIMARILY AS A GLIDERPORT AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, TRAFFIC WAS BEING CONTROLLED BY A PERSON ON THE GROUND USING HANDSIGNALS. N28428 PROCEEDED ON TO THE RWY TO TAKEOFF AS THE ULTRALIGHT WAS ON FINAL APCH. BOTH PLTS OBSERVED THE PERSON CONTROLLING TRAFFIC TO BE WAVING HIS ARMS, HOWEVER, BOTH PLTS ASSUMED HE WAS CLEARING EACH TO PROCEED. N28428 WAS ON IT'S TAKEOFF ROLL AS THE ULTRALIGHT DESCENDED ONTO IT'S WING. THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS THEN ABORTED. INTENT OF THE CONTROLLERS HANDSIGNALS WAS NOT DETERMINED. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE AIRSTRIP IS USED PRIMARILY AS A GLIDERPORT AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, TRAFFIC WAS BEING CONTROLLED BY A PERSON ON THE GROUND USING HANDSIGNALS. N28428 PROCEEDED ON TO THE RWY TO TAKEOFF AS THE ULTRALIGHT WAS ON FINAL APCH. BOTH PLTS OBSERVED THE PERSON CONTROLLING MTRAFFIC TO BE WAVING HIS ARMS, HOWEVER, BOTH PLTS ASSUMED HE WAS CLEARING EACH TO PROCEED. N28428 WAS ON IT'S TAKEOFF ROLL AS THE ULTRALIGHT DESCENDED ONTO IT'S WING. THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS THEN ABORTED. INTENT OF THE CONTROLLER'S HANDSIGNALS WAS NOT DETERMINED. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N28428](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28428), registered now, S/N 1295, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8-A - 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: 1295 - Airframe hours: 2654 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James K. Hurd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1984, 80 hours before - Destination: 21A, SHELBY COUNTY, AL - Airport: NONE, Flying X Ranch, runway 33, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Unknown GLIDER TRYKE (GLIDER TRY) - Category: Ultralight - Serial number: NONE - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Kawasaki 11 35 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 103 - Registered owner: Charlie Mayton - Airport: NONE, Flying X Ranch, runway 33, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N28428; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 654 total, 143 in this make and model, 603 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft 2; age 37; seat: center; flight hours: 6 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19850518017981A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850518017981A), May 18, 1985: Luscom 8A, Columbiana, AL, Substantial damage. Unseen ultralight landed on top of the departing luscomb. Pilot misunderstood groundmans signal to clear runway. ## Other investigations on N28428 (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 CHI07CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA101), Apr 15, 2007: Luscombe 8A (N28428), Chippewa Falls, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane traversing into a cornfield. A factor was the rough/uneven cornfield. 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. --- 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.