# NTSB ERA12CA403: Luscombe 8E, N2052K, Selinsgrove, PA, June 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2012, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Selinsgrove, PA - Coordinates: 40.819442, -76.858612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8194&lon=-76.8586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84021/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84021 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA403 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190112), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane suddenly veered to the left during the takeoff roll and that he was unable to stop the airplane before it departed the left side of the runway. A witness at the airport observed the airplane airborne over the grass area between the runway and taxiway, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then bounced on the right and left main landing gears before coming to rest on the grass. The airplane's right wing was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane suddenly veered to the left during the takeoff roll and he was unable to stop before it departed the left side of the runway. A witness at the airport observed the airplane airborne over the grass area between the runway and taxiway, when the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then bounced on the right and left main landing gears, before coming to rest on the grass. The airplane's right wing was substantially damaged. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2052K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2052K), registered now, S/N 4779, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4779 - Airframe hours: 2823 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2011 - Departed: SEG, Selinsgrove, PA - Destination: SEG, Selinsgrove, PA - Airport: SEG, Penn Valley, runway 17, 4,760 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 353 total, 139 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SEG ## 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 20120609012739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609012739A), Jun 9, 2012: Luscombe 8E, Selinsgrove, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft airborne on takeoff, pilot stalled aircraft approximately 10' AGL over grass between runway and taxiway. Aircraft right wing 35 degrees low, and nose… ## Other investigations on N2052K (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 CHI81FEM85](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEM85), Aug 16, 1981: Luscombe 8E (N2052K), Gladwin, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84021. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane in hangar after recovery (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20in%20hangar%20after%20recovery%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of right wing damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20right%20wing%20damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.