Luscombe 8A N45508

Summary

On 19 July 2015 at about 01:10 local time, a Luscombe 8A registered N45508 was involved in an accident near Oxford, Iowa, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 July 2015 at 01:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Oxford, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Green Castle (IA24)

Coordinates

41.7583, -91.7211

Aircraft

Luscombe 8A

Registration

N45508

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oxford → Oxford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA193

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff based on the runway and density altitude conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact 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 during takeoff, he applied full power and the airplane reached rotation speed. After liftoff, the airplane reached a height of about three or four feet and settled back to the runway. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported the airplane was near maximum gross takeoff weight and he should have calculated density altitude before the flight. The pilot also stated he should have built up more speed before rotation. Weather about the time of the accident was reported as 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was 250 degrees at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2,923 feet. The airport elevation is 750 feet and the runway heading was reported as 150 degrees true. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll from a 1,400 foot turf runway that adjoined a 2600 foot asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.