Luscombe 8A N45796

Summary

On 18 July 2002 at about 02:00 local time, a Luscombe 8A registered N45796, operated by Robert E. Sterner, was involved in an accident near Cordova, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2002 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cordova, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Katalla Air Strip (private)

Coordinates

60.5000, -146.5000

Aircraft

Luscombe 8A

Registration

N45796

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert E. Sterner

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Katalla AS → Cordova

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC02LA080

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable runway for takeoff, which precipitated an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was taking off on a 1,000 foot long private gravel strip perpendicular to a river. He said he attempted to takeoff toward the south, but the airplane failed to become airborne in time to clear the obstacles at the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. He attempted a takeoff toward the north, and the airplane lifted off, but failed to climb. He said the runway ended at a 10 to 15 foot high bank that descended into the river, and as the airplane crossed the end of the runway, it settled into the river and nosed over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.