# NTSB DEN00LA107: Luscombe 8E, N25222, Santa Fe, NM, June 11, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 2000, 15:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Location: 35.6870° N, 105.9378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Fe, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6870&lon=-105.9378&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 January 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft.  A factor was gusty wind conditions.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

At approximately 100 feet above ground level, during initial climb following takeoff, the left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted the ground.  Weather conditions at the time were high gusting winds.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 2000, at 1526 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N25222, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground during initial climb following takeoff at Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.

Weather conditions at the time of the occurrence were clear skies and high wind conditions.  Santa Fe recorded wind at 1553 was from 240 degrees magnetic heading at 15 knots with gusts to 19 knots.  Peak wind was recorded at 1529 to be from 230 degrees at 26 knots.  The wind at 1453 was from 240 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 22 knots.

According to the pilot, following lift off from runway 20 at about 100 feet above ground level (AGL) the left wing dropped and the aircraft struck the ground.  He said that following impact, the aircraft spun around to the left and came to a stop off the side of the runway.

The impact caused damage to the propeller, landing gear, right wing, and the fuselage behind the cabin area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25222](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25222-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 1127, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E
- 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
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chris R. Randall
- Departed: SAF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF

## 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 20000611028959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000611028959A), Jun 11, 2000: Luscom 8E, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. (.4)At approximately 100 feet above ground level, during initial climb following takeoff, the left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted the ground. Weather…

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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