# NTSB CEN20LA029: Luscombe 8A, N45606, Baldwin City, KS, December 4, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 4, 2019, 16:57 local (22:57 UTC) - Place: Baldwin City, KS - Coordinates: 38.836112, -95.181945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8361&lon=-95.1819&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/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: 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 flight instructor was conducting a flight review with the private pilot. During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane crossed over the runway centerline toward the right. The pilot applied left rudder control input, but the airplane continued to the right. The airplane then continued off the runway into a soft, muddy farm field, where it nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which the flight instructor did not correct in a timely manner. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2019, at 1657 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N45606, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Vinland Valley Aerodrome (K64), Baldwin City, Kansas. The private pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from K64 at 1605. The flight instructor was conducting a Part 61.56 flight review of the pilot at the time of the accident. The pilot just completed a "good" wheel landing and was going to attempt an additional takeoff so that he could perform a three-point landing. During the takeoff roll, when the airplane was about 600 ft down runway 16 (3,030 ft by 80 ft, dry turf), it crossed over the runway centerline towards the right. The pilot applied left rudder control input, but the airplane continued to the right. The airplane then went off the runway and into a soft and muddy farm field where it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45606](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45606-2022-05-09), registration cancelled 2022-05-09, S/N 2133, 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: 2133 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1754 - Engines: Continental C90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2019 - Departed: K64, Baldwin City, KS - Destination: K64, Baldwin City, KS - Airport: K64, Vinland Valley Aerodrome, runway 16, 3,030 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 717 total, 335 in this make and model, 717 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2018; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,131 total, 448 in this make and model, 1,063 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: LWC, 11 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 20191204021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191204021709A), Dec 4, 2019: Luscombe 8A, Baldwin City, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot and flight instructor were completing a biennial flight review in his personal aircraft. During their last takeoff for the review, the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N45606 (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 CHI91LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA005), Oct 6, 1990: Luscombe 8A (N45606), Ashland, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S EXCEEDING THE PROPER CLIMB RATE OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND HIS NOT MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO PREVENT A STALL. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100661. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Log (item 2, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Log-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. --- 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.