# NTSB ERA15FA103: Luscombe 8, N1745K, Fort Valley, GA, January 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 16, 2015, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Fort Valley, GA - Coordinates: 32.547779, -83.826942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5478&lon=-83.8269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15FA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90605/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90605 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA103 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed during an approach with a simulated engine failure, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin. ## 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 · Instructor/check 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: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 flight instructor was providing the private pilot with 1 hour of flight experience in the tailwheel airplane to meet insurance company requirements. About 20 minutes after departure, while performing a simulated engine-out approach to landing, the flight instructor allowed the airspeed to decay, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, about 300 ft short of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, left-wing-down attitude. The private pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Emergency Locator Transmitter The airplane was equipped with a Narco model ELT 10 emergency locator transmitter (ELT), which did not activate during the accident sequence. The unit had an internal antenna which could be extended and used manually, if the ELT was to be operated when removed from the airplane. When installed in the airplane, the unit was connected to an airframe mounted antenna via a coaxial cable, and a small insulator was used to activate/select the airframe antenna. The insulator was found out of place and hanging on the coaxial cable, where it would normally be stored when the ELT was removed for servicing. In this condition, the airframe antenna was deactivated. The ELT operated normally when the switch was moved to the "on" position. However, it would not activate by impact when tested by hand, for reasons that could not be determined. The two-seat, high-wing, tailwheel airplane was manufactured in 1946. It was powered by an 85-horsepower Continental Motors C-85-12F engine, equipped with a two-blade fixed pitch propeller. The airplane was not equipped with a stall warning device, nor was one required. The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 1, 2014, at an airframe total time of 2,299 hours. At that time the engine had accrued a total of 2,793 hours, with 582 hours since overhaul. The airplane had accrued 30 additional flight hours since that inspection. On January 16, 2015, about 1120 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8E, N1745K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a field while on approach to Cameron Field Airport (GA81), Fort Valley, Georgia. The flight instructor was fatally injured and the private pilot receiving instruction was seriously injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from the Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN), Macon, Georgia, about 1100. The purpose of the flight was to provide the private pilot with 1 hour of flight experience in the airplane to meet insurance company requirements. A witness stated that he observed the airplane as it approached runway 36 at GA81. He said the airplane was "moving a little up and down, like a boat on waves," as if it were "fighting the wind." He said it then pitched steeply upward, and rolled left, then pitched steeply downward and descended near vertically until it impacted the ground. According to the pilot receiving instruction, at the time of the accident the flight instructor was demonstrating a simulated engine-out approach to landing when the airplane "got too slow" and then stalled. He indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, performed the autopsy on the flight instructor. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma.The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on specimens from the flight instructor. The testing was negative for the presence of carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs. The 1115 recorded weather observation at the Perry-Houston County Airport (PXE), Perry, Georgia, located 4 miles southeast of the accident site, included clear skies, wind from 330 degrees at 6 knots, and 10 statute miles visibility. The flight instructor, age 78, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 2, 2014. He reported 7,350 total hours of flight experience as of that date. The flight instructor's logbook was not located. The pilot receiving instruction, age 52, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, airplane single engine sea, rotorcraft-helicopter, glider, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on November 26, 2013. He reported 1,288 total hours of flight experience as of that date. Review of his logbook revealed that he did not have any flight hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The accident site was located in a peanut field about 300 feet south of the turf runway threshold, about 100 feet to the right of the extended runway centerline. The wreckage path, which began with a ground scar containing fragments of a red navigation light lens, was oriented along a course of 010 degrees magnetic, about 30 feet in length, and ended at the main wreckage. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane came to rest on its right side, with both wings partially separated from the fuselage. The empennage was buckled just aft of the rear window and displaced toward the left. Flight control continuity was confirmed from each of the flight controls to their respective control surfaces. Both sets of seatbelts remained secured to their anchor points and were intact. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses, nor were they required. The engine was turned by hand and exhibited continuity from the propeller to the accessory section. Valve action was confirmed on all cylinders, both magnetos produced spark on all four spark plug leads, and thumb compression was confirmed on all cylinders. Both wing fuel tanks contained fuel which was similar in color and odor to 100-low lead aviation fuel. The quantity of fuel was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1745K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1745K-2015-03-30), registration cancelled 2015-03-30, S/N 4472, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (E) - 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: 4472 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2330 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2014, 30 hours before - Departed: MCN, MACON, GA - Destination: MCN, MACON, GA - Airport: GA81, Cameron Field, runway 36, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 78; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,350 total - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,449 total, 0 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 9.1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KPXE, 4 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 20150116000289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150116000289A), Jan 16, 2015: Luscombe 8E, Fort Valley, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On 01/16/2015, at approximately 11:15 local time CFI and student were involved in an aircraft crash at Cameron field airpark (GA81). The outcome of the… ## Other investigations on N1745K (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 MKC71DCQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCQ25), Dec 14, 1970: Luscombe 8E (N1745K), Hugoton, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90605. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Conversation with Airport Manager (item 3, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Conversation%20with%20Airport%20Manager-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Conversation with Co-owner of Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Conversation%20with%20Co-owner%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Airframe and Engine Logbooks (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Logbooks-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 7, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 8, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.