# NTSB NYC88LA213: Luscombe 8A, N2232K, Plymouth, MA, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9088° N, 70.7276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLYMOUTH MUNI (PYM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9088&lon=-70.7276&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA213

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - previous damage (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent activation (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF ON A HARD PACKED, GRASSY AREA BESIDE A PAVED RWY WITH A 12 KT HEADWIND. AFTER THE TAIL WAS RAISED, AND AT A POINT 900 FT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE ROLL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR LEG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING CRACK AROUND 3/4 OF THE LEG AND A FRESH BREAK ON THE REMAINING 1/4 OF THE LEG. ACCORDING TO A FAA OPS INSP WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION, COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE LEG 'RESULTED IN THE SHAFT EXTENDING. THIS EXTENSION CAUSED THE MECHANICAL BRAKES TO BE APPLIED TO THE RIGHT WHEEL, LOCKING UP THE BRAKE AND FLIPPING THE A/C ON ITS BACK.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2232K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2232K-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 4959, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4950
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Spear Alston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 11 hours before
- Departed: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA
- Destination: PYM
- Airport: PYM, Plymouth, runway 24, 3,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 549 total, 382 in this make and model, 461 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N2232K (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 LAX95FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA145), Mar 25, 1995: Luscombe 8E (N2232K), Compton, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's poor preflight inspection, the mechanic's poor annual inspection, and the leaking fuel caps which allowed water to contaminate the fuel.

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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