# NTSB ERA21LA231: Luscombe 8A, N1331K, Skaneateles, NY, May 24, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 24, 2021, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Skaneateles, NY - Coordinates: 42.91359, -76.44076 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9136&lon=-76.4408&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA231 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over event. ## 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 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [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 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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/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) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped stated that he felt that he lacked rudder authority during the takeoff roll which caused him to lose directional control. The airplane departed the left side of the runway surface and subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s rudder control system revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1331K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1331K), registered now, S/N 4058 (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: 4058 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1789.72 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2020 - Destination: 0G7, Seneca Falls, NY - Airport: 6B9, Skaneateles Aero Drome, runway 10/28, 3,134 × 58 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KSYR, 19 nm away - METAR: KSYR 241754Z 04003KT 10SM FEW055 FEW140 FEW250 23/07 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP222 T02280072 10233 20122 58017 ## 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 20210524003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210524003509A), May 24, 2021: Luscombe 8A, Skaneateles, NY, Substantial damage. N1331K, Skaneateles, NY (6B9) 05-24-2021 1800Z Zulu date/time: 05/24/2021 1800Z Local date/time: 05/24/2021 1400 EDT Event type: general aviation accident… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103143. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12353417&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12656661&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - mechanic interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12657528&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Don%20McCann-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12353890&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.