LAX95LA102

The pilot-in-command (CFI) in the right seat permitted the pilot-rated passenger to take off in the conventional gear airplane. The initial ground roll was unremarkable. However, the passenger lost control of the airplane after accelerating to between 30 and 40 miles per hour. The CFI attempted to regain control of the airplane as it veered off the runway, but he was not successful. The airplane encountered a ditch and nosed over. Wheel brakes were installed only on the left side of the airplane.

On January 13, 1995, at 1530 mountain standard time, a Luscombe 8F, N2183B, owned and operated by Gavin and Patricia Murray, crashed during takeoff at the Wickenburg Municipal Airport, Wickenburg, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport certificated pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 05 the passenger was initially handling the flight controls. After accelerating without difficulty to between 30 and 40 miles per hour, the airplane suddenly veered right, and the pilot took the controls. The pilot further indicated that he was not able to redirect the airplane back onto the runway, so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane crossed a parallel taxiway onto an unpaved area, entered a small ditch, and nosed over.

The accident was witnessed by the airplane's owner, who was trying to sell his airplane to the pilot-rated passenger. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot nor passenger made any statement to the airplane's owner regarding having experienced any mechanical problem with the airplane during the accident flight.

In February, when the National Transportation Safety Board learned of the accident, the Safety Board received a written statement from the pilot-rated passenger. The passenger reported the circumstances related to the accident flight. He did not assert having experienced any mechanical failure or having encountered gusty winds. The pilot-rated passenger reported that his prior experience flying in the same model of conventional gear airplane was about 2.0 hours.

The pilot-in-command completed the Safety Board's "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1. In the report, the pilot wrote, in part, that he was "an experienced tail wheel instructor," and was also current in conventional gear airplanes. Regarding controls installed in the airplane, the pilot reported that wheel brake pedals were only located on the left side, and he was seated on the right side.