# NTSB CEN13CA453: Luscombe 8A, N45957, Ellinwood, KS, July 31, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2013, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Ellinwood, KS
- Coordinates: 38.372776, -98.598609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3728&lon=-98.5986&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA453
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87642/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87642
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA453

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane encountered soft ground conditions when it reached the shoulder of the runway. The airplane went into the adjoining field and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane encountered soft ground conditions when it reached the shoulder of the runway. The airplane went into the adjoining field and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45957](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45957), registered now, S/N 2484 (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: 2484
- Airframe hours: 1842
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Yagel
- Registered owner: Milsap Ray F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2012
- Departed: 1K6, Ellinwood, KS
- Destination: 1K6, Ellinwood, KS
- Airport: 1K6, Ellinwood Airport, runway 35, 2,550 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review October 31, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 136 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Observed at: GBD

## 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 20130731016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130731016109A), Jul 31, 2013: Luscombe 8A, Ellinwood, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot with one passenger planned a local flight using runway 35 at about 1350 local. The weather was clear with light winds variable out of the east. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87642. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot's 6120-1 Report (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%206120-1%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF

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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