# NTSB GAA16CA248: Luscombe 8, N62925, Blue Bell, PA, May 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2016, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Blue Bell, PA - Coordinates: 40.13861, -75.26361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1386&lon=-75.2636&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA248 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in runway excursion, and collision with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/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: 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 During an instructional checkout flight, the pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that after the tailwheel came up during the takeoff roll, the airplane yawed to the right. The pilot further reported that the flight instructor took over the flight controls, but the airplane continued off of the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. According to the flight instructor there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative During an instructional checkout flight, the pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that after the tailwheel came up during the takeoff roll, the airplane yawed to the right. The pilot further reported that the flight instructor took over the flight controls, but the airplane continued off of the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. According to the flight instructor there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62925](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62925), registered now, S/N 3393 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3393 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1596 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2016 - Departed: LOM, BLUE BELL, PA - Destination: LOM, BLUE BELL, PA - Airport: LOM, Wings Field, runway 24, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,700 total, 133 in this make and model, 7,100 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 19, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,238 total, 0.1 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KLOM, 2 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 20160519009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160519009129A), May 19, 2016: Luscombe 8A, Blue Bell, PA, Substantial damage. The two statements from the student and flight instructor the following synopsis was derived: during the take-off roll the student lost directional control and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93214. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 848 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 532 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.