# NTSB ERA09LA520: Luscombe 8A, N40VS, Arcadia, FL, August 27, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, FL
- Coordinates: 27.191944, -81.837219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1919&lon=-81.8372&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA520
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74725/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74725
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA520

## Probable cause

The pilot's bounced takeoff roll, which resulted in a collapsed landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's overweight condition.

## Findings

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

- [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the left wing began to rise during the takeoff roll. He applied left aileron, leveled the airplane, and then “released the aileron for a normal takeoff at which time the plane continued to fall right.” The pilot reduced power, aborted the takeoff, and then the airplane departed the left side of the runway. Both occupants egressed the airplane and noted that the right main landing gear had collapsed. The pilot mentioned that the airplane “may have bounced a few times” during the takeoff. The maximum allowable gross weight for the airplane was 1,260 pounds. Calculations revealed that the airplane weighed approximately 1,315 pounds at takeoff. Examination of the collapsed landing gear in the NTSB Materials Laboratory revealed no preexisting defects, and that the component failed in overstress bending due to landing gear loads consistent with forward movement of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 27, 2009, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N40VS, was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed during takeoff at Arcadia Municipal Airport (X06), Arcadia, Florida. The certificated private pilot and owner/passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that was originating at the time and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Both the pilot and the owner provided written statements. According to the pilot, the left wing began to “raise” during the takeoff roll. He applied left aileron, leveled the airplane, and then “released the aileron for a normal takeoff at which time the plane continued to fall right.” The pilot reduced power, aborted the takeoff, and then the airplane departed the left side of the runway. Both occupants egressed the airplane and noted that the right main landing gear had collapsed. The owner’s written account of the event was consistent with the pilot’s. In a subsequent interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the pilot mentioned that the airplane “may have bounced a few times” during the takeoff. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of FAA airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued December 10, 1998. The pilot reported about 6,000 total hours of flight experience, of which 16 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot reported that the airplane was a recent purchase by the owner, and that his experience flying the airplane was accrued during delivery of the airplane from Wisconsin to Florida. He said he was operating the airplane in the "Light Sport" category. The owner did not possess a pilot certificate, and neither did he have an FAA medical certificate. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1940 and had accrued 2,210 total aircraft hours. Its most recent annual inspection was completed April 1, 2009, at 2,191 total aircraft hours. Weight and balance calculations were completed by the FAA inspector who used the occupant, baggage, and fuel weights volunteered by the pilot and owner. Calculations revealed that the airplane weighed approximately 1,315 pounds at takeoff. The maximum allowable gross weight for the airplane was 1,260 pounds. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1353, the weather reported at Charlotte County Airport (PGD), Punta Gorda, Florida, 19 miles southwest, included few clouds at 4,300 feet and winds from 120 degrees at 7 knots. The visibility was 10 miles. The temperature was 32 degrees Celsius (C) and the dew point was 22 degrees C. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The accident was not reported until examination of the airplane by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed substantial damage to theairframe. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed corrosion in the areas of the landing gear that had buckled or fractured. These areas were sectioned from the airplane’s landing gear and forwarded to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, DC, for further examination. TESTS AND RESEARCH On October 19, 2009, the sectioned pieces of the right main landing gear were examined in the NTSB materials laboratory. Examination revealed the component failed in overstress bending due to landing gear loads consistent with forward movement of the airplane. There were no indications of preexisting defects, and the corrosion observed did not affect the overall integrity because it was "shallow compared to the overall thickness of the [landing gear] tube."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40VS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40VS), registered now, S/N 1306, built 1940 (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: 1306
- Airframe hours: 2210
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Siwicki
- Registered owner: Edward Siwicki
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2009, 19 hours before
- Departed: X06, Arcadia, FL
- Destination: X06, Arcadia, FL
- Airport: X06, Arcadia Municipal Airport, runway 05, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review January 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: PGD, 19 nm away

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74725. 871 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330865&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Owner and Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Owner%20and%20Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Materials Laboratory Report - Right Main Landing Gear Strut and Leg (item 3, .PDF, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Report%20-%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Strut%20and%20Leg-Master.PDF
- FAA Weight and Balance Statement (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- View of Wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=View%20of%20Wreckage-Master.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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