# NTSB NYC08CA205: Luscombe 8A, N37012, Indiantown, FL, June 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2008, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Indiantown, FL - Coordinates: 27.0375, -80.441108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0375&lon=-80.4411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68163/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA205 ## Probable cause An inadequate annual inspection that failed to detect a damaged rudder cable which resulted in the cable's subsequent failure during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 Luscombe 8A was taking off from a turf runway, and had climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above ground level, when the left rudder cable failed. The airplane yawed to the right and the left wing and nose contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest on the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left rudder cable had separated at the first pulley under the cabin floor. The separated end of the cable was frayed and displayed evidence of corrosion. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 11 months prior to the accident. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic noted that the control cables were inspected for damage per a required Airworthiness Directive. ## Factual narrative The Luscombe 8A was taking off from a turf runway, and had climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above ground level, when the left rudder cable failed. The airplane yawed to the right and the left wing and nose contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest on the right side of the runway. The left outboard 4 feet of left wing was curled up, the left main landing gear separated and the fuselage was twisted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left rudder cable had separated at the first pulley under the cabin floor. The separated end of the cable was frayed and displayed evidence of corrosion. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 11 months prior to the accident. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic noted that the control cables were inspected for damage per a required Airworthiness Directive. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37012](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37012-2008-08-01), registration cancelled 2008-08-01, S/N 1673, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1678 - Airframe hours: 1920 - Engines: Teledyne Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Treasurer Coast Sport Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007, 24 hours before - Departed: X58, Indiantown, FL - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Airport: X58, Indiantown, runway 31, 6,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 631 total, 2 in this make and model, 544 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 82; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: OBE, 25 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 20080603839379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080603839379A), Jun 3, 2008: Luscom 8A, Indiantown, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft set for departure from Indiantown Airport (X58). Pilot [privacy data omitted] was PIC at the time of the accident. Aircraft had normal rollout,… 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.