# NTSB CHI03LA093: Luscombe 8A, N45799, Sturtevant, WI, March 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2003, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Sturtevant, WI - Coordinates: 42.703334, -87.958885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7033&lon=-87.9589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56770 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56770/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA093 ## Probable cause The student pilot's abrupt liftoff resulting in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed followed by a stall. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - lift-off - abrupt, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, dual student - stall/mush - inadvertent, dual student - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - not successful, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it stalled and impacted the runway immediately after takeoff. The student pilot reported he applied full power and held the control stick full aft as the takeoff roll began. At approximately 40 miles per hour, just as he was beginning to lower the nose, the airplane "leaped off of the ground into the air," according to the student He added: "The plane was still nose high and began to bleed off airspeed until both wings stalled." The left main landing gear and left wing tip impacted the ground, breaking off the left main gear. The propeller subsequently contacted the pavement and the aircraft came to rest on the left side of the runway facing east. The dual student stated this was his first flight with this instructor. He reported that he had one previous flight in the accident aircraft approximately one month prior to the accident flight. The flight instructor stated that on the morning of the accident flight, he and the student discussed the aircraft and the plan for the flight. The instructor reported that after they took the runway for takeoff, the student gradually increased power to begin the takeoff roll. Within a few seconds, however, the student abruptly applied full power and full aft elevator. He stated the aircraft was almost immediately airborne. The aircraft subsequently stalled and impacted the ground according to the instructor. The instructor stated that he tried to lower the nose but was unable to overpower the student. "The student froze on the controls and didn't relinquish control." ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2003, approximately 0900 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N45799, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it stalled and impacted the runway immediately after takeoff. The aircraft was departing runway 26 (2,272 feet x 33 feet, asphalt) at the Sylvania Airport (C89), Sturtevant, Wisconsin, when the accident occurred. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The student pilot and flight instructor reported no injuries. The student pilot reported that after completing the start-up and pre-flight procedures, they taxied into position on the runway and began the takeoff roll. He stated that he applied full power and held the control stick full aft. At approximately 40 miles per hour, just as he was beginning to lower the nose, the airplane "leaped off of the ground into the air." He added: "The plane was still nose high and began to bleed off airspeed until both wings stalled." The left main landing gear and left wing tip impacted the ground, breaking off the left main gear. The propeller subsequently contacted the pavement and the aircraft came to rest on the left side of the runway facing east. The dual student stated this was his first flight with this instructor. He reported that he had one previous flight in the accident aircraft with another instructor. That flight was approximately one month prior to the accident flight and lasted 1.5 hours. He stated that during that flight he attempted one takeoff, in which the aircraft "got away from him." He stated that he informed the instructor on the accident flight that he was uncomfortable with takeoffs and landings in a tailwheel aircraft. The flight instructor stated that on the morning of the accident flight, he and the student discussed the aircraft and the plan for the flight. He noted that he was aware the student had only 1.5 hours in the Luscombe. However, he stated that the student did not relay any previous difficulties with flying tailwheel aircraft to him. He added that the student seemed aware of the techniques of flying a tailwheel aircraft. The instructor reported that after they took the runway for takeoff, the student gradually increased power to begin the takeoff roll. Within a few seconds however, the student abruptly applied full power and full aft elevator. He stated the aircraft was almost immediately airborne. The aircraft subsequently stalled and impacted the ground, according to the instructor. The instructor stated that he tried to lower the nose but was unable to overpower the student. "The student froze on the controls and didn't relinquish control." Neither the dual student nor the flight instructor reported any problems with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. Both pilots recalled the wind conditions as calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45799](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45799-2006-02-28), registration cancelled 2006-02-28, S/N 2326, 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: 2326 - Airframe hours: 3039 - Engines: Continental A-75-8D 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2002, 46 hours before - Departed: C89, Sturtevant, WI - Airport: C89, Sylvania, runway 26L, 2,272 × 33 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 1, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 26,700 total, 460 in this make and model, 26,700 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 2 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: ENW, 7 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 20030330028839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030330028839A), Mar 30, 2003: Luscom 8A, Sturtevant, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On take off, the airplane became airborne without sufficient airspeed to maintain flight. The airplane subsequently settled back on the runway, striking… 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.