# NTSB NYC08CA153: Luscombe 8A, N2209K, Lincoln, ME, April 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 6, 2008, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, ME - Coordinates: 45.36222, -68.534721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3622&lon=-68.5347&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, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67759/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot-rated-passenger'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) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/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: 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) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the Luscombe 8A stated that he and a friend, who was a pilot-rated-passenger, intended to practice takeoffs and landings in an effort to gain proficiency on wheels after a long ski season. The pilot-rated-passenger was a flight instructor; however, the pilot was not receiving instruction. In addition, the pilot-rated-passenger did not have any flight experience in the make and model airplane. The pilot completed a successful takeoff and landing on runway 17, and then let the pilot-rated-passenger attempt the same. As the pilot-rated-passenger initiated a takeoff roll on runway 17, the airplane veered left, right, left, and right again. The pilot attempted to correct the upset, but the airplane traveled off the right side of the runway, into snow-covered grass, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the underside fuselage. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 150 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the Luscombe 8A stated that he and a friend, who was a pilot-rated-passenger, intended to practice takeoffs and landings in an effort to gain proficiency on wheels after a long ski season. The pilot-rated-passenger was a flight instructor; however, the pilot was not receiving instruction. In addition, the pilot-rated-passenger did not have any flight experience in the make and model airplane. The pilot completed a successful takeoff and landing on runway 17, and then let the pilot-rated-passenger attempt the same. As the pilot-rated-passenger initiated a takeoff roll on runway 17, the airplane veered left, right, left, and right again. The pilot attempted to correct the upset, but the airplane traveled off the right side of the runway, into snow-covered grass, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the underside fuselage. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 150 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2209K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2209K-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 4936, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - 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: 4936 - Airframe hours: 2841 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald A Millett Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007, 95 hours before - Departed: LRG, Lincoln, ME - Destination: LRG - Airport: LRG, Lincoln Regional Airport, runway 17, 2,804 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 232 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 806 total, 0 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.46 inHg - Observed at: MLT, 15 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 20080406837549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080406837549A), Apr 6, 2008: Luscom 8A, Lincoln, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Two friends went flying together on a nice Sunday afternoon. After the first takeoff and landing, the [privacy data omitted] offered to allow the other… ## Other investigations on N2209K (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 NYC73DNC70](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DNC70), Apr 15, 1973: Luscombe 8A (N2209K), Princeton, ME, 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. --- 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.