# NTSB ATL99LA060: Luscombe 8E, N1766K, Dahlonega, GA, March 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1999, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Dahlonega, GA - Coordinates: 34.530609, -83.980026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5306&lon=-83.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The accident occurred during takeoff. The pilot stated that the takeoff run was normal until tailwheel liftoff. At that point, the pilot felt the plane yaw right. The pilot attempted to correct the situation, but realized that the right main wheel was going off the edge of the runway. Once the right main gear departed the runway surface, the pilot decided to exit the runway and continue takeoff on the grass. The airplane subsequently rolled over a drop-off, collided with a fence, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1999, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8E, N1766K, collided with a barb wire fence and nosed over during an attempted takeoff from the Lumpkin County-Wimpys Airport in Dahlonega, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and a passenger were not injured. The flight originated in Dahlonega, Georgia, at 1505 eastern standard time. According to the pilot, the takeoff run was normal until tail wheel liftoff. At that point, the pilot felt the plane yaw to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the situation, but realized that the right wheel was veering off the edge of the runway. Once the right main gear departed the runway surface, the pilot decided to exit the runway and continue takeoff on the grass. According to the pilot, he was unable to "control drift" and the airplane subsequently rolled over a drop-off, collided a fence, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the tail section of the airplane was separated from the fuselage just forward of the empennage. Additional damage included a broken right wing strut, puncture holes in the wings, landing gear damage, cowling damage, and a bent propeller assembly. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1766K (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24551-6-12 - Airframe hours: 3257 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 C2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chester Thurston - Registered owner: Al J. Wimpy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1998 - Departed: 9A0 - Airport: 9A0, Lumpkin County-Wimpys, runway 33, 3,035 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,520 total, 1,114 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 21 nm away ## 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 19990327002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990327002689A), Mar 27, 1999: Luscom 8E, Dahlonga, GA, Substantial damage. Acft lost control on take-off, struck a barbed wire fence, and flipped over. (-23) runway recently paved. Has approximately 6-inch drop off. Right main landing… 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.