# NTSB NYC08LA021: Luscombe 8A, N2099K, Pensacola, FL, October 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 26, 2007, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.398056, -87.348892 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3981&lon=-87.3489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66969 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66969/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA021 ## Probable cause The fatigue fracture of the tail wheel spring during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - fatigue (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During takeoff, the tail wheel airplane was about 2 feet in the air when it suddenly veered to the left. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway; however, the airplane continued left and impacted trees to the left of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the tail wheel leaf spring was separated from the tail wheel assembly, and the wheel was "jammed" against the rudder. The fracture surface appeared to be a fatigue failure. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 9 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. Checking the tail wheel spring was a requirement during an annual inspection. Without removing the outer clip, a pilot would not be able to check the spring during a preflight inspection. ## Factual narrative On October 26, 2007, at 1545 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N2099K, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Ferguson Airport (82J), Pensacola, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot departed from runway 36 at 82J, and was about 2 feet in the air when the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway; however, the airplane continued left and impacted trees to the left of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tail wheel leaf spring was separated from the tail wheel assembly, and the wheel was "jammed" against the rudder. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane, the fracture surface appeared to be a fatigue failure. The tail wheel assembly attached to the fuselage by two leaf springs, and two connector springs and chains (one on the right side and one on the left). A bolt and nut secured the leaf springs to the tail wheel assembly, and a clamp was installed over the connection. The leaf spring fracture occurred in the area that would have been under the clamp. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 27, 2007, with no anomalies noted. According to a representative of the company that owns the Type Certificate for the airplane, checking the tail wheel spring was a requirement during an annual inspection. Without removing the outer clip (secured by a bolt and nut), a pilot would not be able to check the spring during a preflight inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2099K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2099K-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 4826, 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: 4826 - Airframe hours: 2805 - Engines: Continental A-658 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Jenista - Registered owner: James Stallings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007 - Departed: 82J, Pensacola, FL - Airport: 82J, Ferguson Airport, runway 36, 3,200 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,406 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PNS, 10 nm away ## Other investigations on N2099K (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 MIA70F0151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0151), Aug 17, 1969: Luscombe 8A (N2099K), Sarasota, FL, 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.