# NTSB MKC82FCQ09: Luscombe 8A, N2248K, Fredonia, KS, May 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1982, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Fredonia, KS
- Location: 37.5331° N, 95.8223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fredonia, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5331&lon=-95.8223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCQ09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCQ09

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - ignition system,magneto - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER TAKING OFF ON A TEST FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP ANGLE OF CLIMB, AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ADJUSTING THE MAGNETOS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE DRIVEN CLOCKWISE ON THE ENGINE, AND BOTH PRODUCED A GOOD SPARK WHEN BENCH TESTED. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR AND BREAKER WERE SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. THE LEFT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR WAS SET IN A CLOCKWISE POSITION, WHILE THE RESPECTIVE BREAKER CAM WAS SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE, MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING COULD NOT BE CHECKED. BOTH MAGNETOS HAD BEEN SET AT THE LIMITS OF THEIR MOUNTING SLOTS ON THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2248K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2248K-1992-06-12), registration cancelled 1992-06-12, S/N 4975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4975
- Airframe hours: 4455
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: K C Relph
- Registered owner: K C Relph
- Departed: FREDONIA, KS
- Destination: FREDONIA, KS
- Airport: Fredonia Municipal, runway 17, 2,430 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,530 total, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820509014299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509014299A), May 9, 1982: Luscom 8A, Fredonia, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled on climb out after takeoff. Had made unauthorized magneto adjustments, one magneto set opposite rotation.

## Other investigations on N2248K (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 FTW79DPJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPJ05), Feb 11, 1979: Luscombe 8A (N2248K), Cache, OK, substantial damage

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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