# NTSB FTW86LA052: Luscombe 8A, N71611, Houston, TX, March 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1986, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.75987, -95.37046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7599&lon=-95.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA052

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS SHOWING HIS STUDENT HOW TO TAKEOFF FROM A CRASS STRIP WHEN HE NOTICED ANOTHER AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF ON AN INTERSECTING RUNWAY. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, DAMAGING THE MAIN GEAR, LEFT WING AND PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71611 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3038
- Airframe hours: 2194
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kerry Hartless
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1986
- Airport: T17, Weiser, runway 10, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,290 total, 20 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 13 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 19860329010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860329010979A), Mar 29, 1986: Luscom 8A, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Intentionally went off runway side to avoid aircraft taking off on intersecting runway. Ground looped, hit a ditch.

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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