# NTSB DIA68D0141: Luscombe 8A, N72039, Melfa, VA, December 23, 1967

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 23, 1967
- Place: Melfa, VA · MELFA, VA
- Location: 37.6490° N, 75.7407° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melfa, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6490&lon=-75.7407&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 February 7, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 112611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DIA68D0141
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0141

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4389  67/12/23   MELFA,VA            LUSCOMBE 8A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 52, 223
        TIME - 1300                    N72039              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 61 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ACCOMACK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT CROSS WIND 248-292 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           29                                                      310
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           14                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT VEERED INTO WIND,PLT LOST CONTROL. 70 DEG LEFT CROSSWIND,14K GUSTING TO 30K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72039-2012-10-17), registration cancelled 2012-10-17, S/N 3466, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Accomack

## Other investigations on N72039 (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 NYC71FHJ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHJ23), Mar 7, 1971: Luscombe 8E (N72039), Amityville, NY, substantial damage

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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