# NTSB FTW95LA236: Luscombe 8A, N1143B, Farmington, NM, June 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1995, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.75072, -108.180259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7507&lon=-108.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA236

## Probable cause

FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - touch-and-go
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHEN THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT ADDED POWER FOR TAKEOFF DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED LEFT AND DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY ONTO SOFT GROUND WHERE THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FOLDED AND THE NOSE AND RIGHT WING DUG IN. WIND AT THE TIME WAS 40 DEGREES RIGHT OF THE NOSE AT 5 KNOTS. THE PILOT HAD 52 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, 48 HOURS IN MAKE AND MODEL, AND 40 MINUTES AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND. HE WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1995, at 0800 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N1143B, sustained substantial damage when it departed the side of the runway during takeoff roll at Farmington, New Mexico.  The solo student pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area student training flight and no flight plan was filed.

The student pilot said the aircraft turned to the left and  departed the runway onto soft ground as he added power for takeoff during a touch-and-go landing.  The right main landing gear folded and the nose and right wing of the aircraft dug in.   Reported wind at the time was 40 degrees to the right of the runway heading at 5 knots.

According to the information provided on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot had 52 hours total time, 48 in make and model, and 40 minutes as pilot in command.  The pilot was on his first flight following solo endorsement.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector failed to reveal any structural or system failure or malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1143B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1143B), registered now, S/N 5770, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5770
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: William R. Ryesterer
- Registered owner: Brian R. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1994, 50 hours before
- Departed: FMN
- Airport: FMN, Four Corners Regional, runway 5, 6,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 48 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN, 1 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 19950609014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950609014399A), Jun 9, 1995: Luscom 8A, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. First solo flight touch and go lost control when power added. Exited runway into soft ground. Folded right main.

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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