# NTSB GAA17CA498: Luscombe 8, N2861K, Perryville, MO, August 21, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 21, 2017, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Perryville, MO
- Coordinates: 37.863334, -89.86444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8633&lon=-89.8644&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
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA498
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95855/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95855
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA498

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

## 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he lost directional control. He added that the airplane veered to the left "abruptly," exited the runway, and struck a vertical approach slope indicator light. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he lost directional control. He added that the airplane veered to the left "abruptly", exited the runway, and struck a vertical approach slope indicator (VASI) light. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2861K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2861K-2020-01-31), registration cancelled 2020-01-31, S/N 5588, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A)
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5588
- Year built: 1947
- Engines: Continental A&C65 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PCD, Perryville, MO
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PCD, Perryville Rgnl, runway 02, 7,003 × 100 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2017; flight hours: 2,799 total, 842 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KSAR, 19 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 20170821013539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170821013539A), Aug 21, 2017: Luscombe 8A, Perryville, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot lost control of the aircraft on the takeoff roll. The aircraft throttle was not reduced immediately when the aircraft began to swerve to the left.…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95855. 611 KB in all.

- Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458038&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.

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