Luscombe 8A N45976

Summary

On 5 March 2010 at about 15:30 local time, a Luscombe 8A registered N45976, operated by Gautreau Arthur G, was involved in an accident near Savannah, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 March 2010 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Savannah, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

McLendon (GA39)

Coordinates

32.0399, -81.1809

Aircraft

Luscombe 8A

Registration

N45976

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Gautreau Arthur G

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Savannah → Savannah

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA164

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and inadvertent stall after takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to engine start, the pilot advised the witness that he intended to fly for about 45 minutes and remain close to the departure airport. The witness performed a hand start of the airplane for the pilot. After the second attempt, the engine started and the witness stated everything sounded and appeared normal but the takeoff appeared a little wobbly, but quite normal considering the breezy conditions. He repeated that he noticed nothing out of the ordinary with the pilot, the engine, or the airplane. The witness departed the airport before the pilot was expected to return that afternoon. The airplane was located submerged in a pond, about 100 yards off the departure end of the runway, the following day. There were no witnesses to the accident. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The damage was indicative of a low-power, low-speed, aerodynamic stall and collision with water. Post mortem examination of the pilot revealed the presence of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertensive heart disease, and the recent use of antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and painkilling medications. It was not known to what degree, if any, these issues affected the outcome of the flight. The pilot's most recent medical certificate was issued 19 years prior to the accident, but he was not required to hold a current one while operating as a sport pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.