# NTSB GAA17CA403: Luscombe 8, N45609, Grand Island, NE, July 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2017, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Island, NE - Coordinates: 40.967498, -98.309722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9675&lon=-98.3097&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 March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95550/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95550 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA403 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## 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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8190120), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190120), [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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, during an instructional flight, when the tailwheel-equipped airplane was at rotation for takeoff, it sharply veered to the left. When safe flight was not assured, the flight instructor took over control from the student pilot, and subsequently the airplane exited the runway into the adjacent grassy area. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, when the tailwheel-equipped airplane was at rotation for takeoff, it sharply veered to the left. When safe flight was not assured, the flight instructor took over control from the student pilot, and subsequently landed the airplane in the grass area adjacent to the runway. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45609](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45609), registered now, S/N 2136 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A) - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2136 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3187.47 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2016 - Departed: GRI, Grand Island, NE - Destination: GRI, Grand Island, NE - Airport: GRI, Central Nebraska Regional Airp, runway 17, 7,002 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,062 total, 1.5 in this make and model, 1,812 as pilot in command, 41.2 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4.3 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2015; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,893 total, 64 in this make and model, 1,701 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KGRI ## 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 20170706010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170706010549A), Jul 6, 2017: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, Grand Island, NE, Substantial damage. Training flight for tail wheel endorsement. First takeoff of the day, second instructional hop for that student. (Previously started recieving endorsement over… ## Other investigations on N45609 (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK70D0054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0054), Jun 29, 1969: Luscombe 8A (N45609), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95550. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459767&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.