# NTSB CHI91LA005: Luscombe 8A, N45606, Ashland, KS, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, KS
- Coordinates: 37.179946, -99.760818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1799&lon=-99.7608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA005

## 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.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRCRAFT INTO A NOSE HIGH ATITUDE. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN BEFORE THE PILOT COULD REGAIN CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FOUND NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL FLIGHT.

## 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
- Airframe hours: 1124
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cunningham, Ray
- Registered owner: Aards American Bus. Inc,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1990, 10 hours before
- Airport: KS8, Ashland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19901006044439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006044439A), Oct 6, 1990: Luscom 8A, Ashland, KS, Substantial damage. Pulled up into steep climb on liftoff. Stalled and impacted runway.

## 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 CEN20LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA029), Dec 4, 2019: Luscombe 8A (N45606), Baldwin City, KS, substantial damage. 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.

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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