# NTSB ERA10CA397: Luscombe 8C, N4113M, Zelienople, PA, August 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2010, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.801944, -80.160835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8019&lon=-80.1608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76848/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76848 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA397 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control while taking off with a gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff ground roll the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind and turned left. The pilot corrected with right rudder, but the airplane departed the runway and bounced several times before the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and found no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot further reported that wind at the airport was shifting. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff ground roll, he encountered a sudden gust of wind, turning the tailwheeled airplane to the left. The pilot corrected with right rudder, but the airplane departed the runway and bounced several times before the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and did not note any pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot also reported that there were shifting winds at the airport, and that he might have attempted to take off in a tailwind because the wind tee was frozen in one position. ## Aircraft - Registration: N4113M (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8C - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1412 - Airframe hours: 2993 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: PJC, Zelienople, PA - Destination: D95, Lapeer, MI - Airport: PJC, Zelienople Municiple Airport, runway 35, 4,933 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 649 total, 452 in this make and model, 603 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KBTP, 10 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 20100801047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100801047039A), Aug 1, 2010: Luscombe 8C, Zelienople, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot lost control of the aircraft on the take off roll. The aircraft veered to the left at approximately 40 mph. The pilot over corrected and the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76848. 217 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record: Phone Conversation with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Phone%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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. --- 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.