# NTSB CEN26LA169: Luscombe 8E, N1398K, Meeker, CO, April 19, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 19, 2026, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Meeker, CO
- Coordinates: 39.733022, -108.14321
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7330&lon=-108.1432&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202849/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202849
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA169

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain climb performance and clearance from terrain due to the airplane’s encounter with windshear during takeoff.

## Findings

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

- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was attempting to depart from a remote 2,040 ft long airstrip. During the initial climb, the airplane encountered windshear, and the pilot noticed that the vertical speed indicator depicted a decreasing climb rate. The pilot determined that the airplane was unable to out climb the terrain due to the windshear and opted for a straight-ahead forced landing. The airplane landed in a three-point configuration in tall, thick sagebrush and eventually nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Both wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1398K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1398K), registered now, S/N 4125, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4125
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2425.3
- Engines: Continental Motors Inc. O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2025, 127 hours before
- Departed: N/A, Meeker, CO
- Destination: KGJT, Grand Junction, CO
- Airport: NA, Private, runway private runway, 2,040 × 15 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 732 total, 433 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 25 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: 54 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observed at: KEEO, 22 nm away
- METAR: KEEO 191653Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/M11 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP215 T01171111


## 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 20260419007099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260419007099A), Apr 19, 2026: Luscombe 8E, Meeker, CO, Substantial damage. On April 19, 2026 a pilot flying a Luscombe. 8E, with registration number [privacy data omitted] departed a private grass strip approximately 23NM to the south…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202849.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20303783&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA169%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20303526&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA169%20photo%20list-Rel.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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