# NTSB GAA15CA193: Luscombe 8A, N45508, Oxford, IA, July 19, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2015, 20:10 local (Jul 19, 2015, 01:10 UTC) - Place: Oxford, IA - Coordinates: 41.758335, -91.721107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7583&lon=-91.7211&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, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91609 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91609/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91609 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff based on the runway and density altitude conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff, he applied full power and the airplane reached rotation speed. After liftoff, the airplane reached a height of about three or four feet and settled back to the runway. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported the airplane was near maximum gross takeoff weight and he should have calculated density altitude before the flight. The pilot also stated he should have built up more speed before rotation. Weather about the time of the accident was reported as 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was 250 degrees at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2,923 feet. The airport elevation is 750 feet and the runway heading was reported as 150 degrees true. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll from a 1,400 foot turf runway that adjoined a 2600 foot asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff, he applied full power and the airplane reached rotation speed. After liftoff, the airplane reached a height of about three or four feet and settled back to the runway. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported the airplane was near maximum gross takeoff weight and he should have calculated density altitude before the flight. The pilot also stated he should have built up more speed before rotation. Weather about the time of the accident was reported as 82 degrees Fahrenheit and winds were 250 degrees at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2,923 feet. The airport elevation is 750 feet and the runway heading was reported as 150 degrees true. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll from a 1,400 foot turf runway that adjoined a 2600 foot asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45508](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45508-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 2035, built 1946 (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: 2035 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1488.9 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2014 - Departed: IA24, Oxford, IA - Destination: IA24, Oxford, IA - Airport: IA24, Green Castle, runway SE, 4,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 149 total, 118 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCID, 7 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 20150718011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150718011219A), Jul 18, 2015: Luscombe 8A, Oxford, IA, Destroyed. On July 18, 2015 at approximately 8:10 pm local time, the aircraft was departing runway 15 at green castle airport (IA24). Takeoff roll started on the turf… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91609. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 720 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%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.