# NTSB GAA19CA224: Luscombe 8, N1866B, Bremen, AL, April 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2019, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Bremen, AL - Coordinates: 33.983612, -87.059448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9836&lon=-87.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99319 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99319/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99319 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA224 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun, impact with a fence, and a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190114), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a 2,400-ft-long private, grass airstrip, he was concerned the airplane would not clear the wires at the end of the runway, so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, crossed a road, and went through a barbed wire fence. Subsequently, the airplane come to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the pilot estimated that the wind was from 290° at 8 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 18. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a 2,400 ft long private, grass airstrip, he was concerned he would not clear the wires at the end of the runway, and aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, crossed a road, and went through a barbed wire fence. Subsequently, the airplane come to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the left wing and wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the pilot estimated the wind was from 290° at 8 knots. The pilot was departing runway 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1866B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1866B), registered now, S/N 6293, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8 (F) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6293 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 5568.67 - Engines: Continental C-90-12K 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald J Morrison - Registered owner: Ronald J Morrison - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2018 - Departed: PVT, Bremen, AL - Destination: PVT, Bremen, AL - Airport: PVT, Private Airport, runway 18, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KJFX, 14 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 20190420003129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190420003129A), Apr 20, 2019: Luscombe 8F, Bremen, AL, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that he was unable to stop after an aborted takeoff attempt. The aircraft continued beyond the runway departure threshold, skidded across a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99319. 965 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 541 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.