Nose Over: Luscombe 8F Silvaire, N1866B; accident occurred April 20, 2019 in Bremen, Cullman County, Alabama

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N1866B

Location: Bremen, AL
Accident Number: GAA19CA224
Date & Time: 04/20/2019, 1630 CDT
Registration: N1866B
Aircraft: Luscombe 8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a 2,400-ft-long private, grass airstrip, he was concerned the airplane would not clear the wires at the end of the runway, so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, crossed a road, and went through a barbed wire fence. Subsequently, the airplane come to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing lift strut.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

About the time of the accident, the pilot estimated that the wind was from 290° at 8 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 18.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun, impact with a fence, and a nose-over.

Findings

Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot

Environmental issues Fence/fence post - Effect on operation

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff-rejected takeoff Runway excursion

Takeoff-rejected takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Takeoff-rejected takeoff Nose over/nose down (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 59, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:  Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/29/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 700 hours (Total, this make and model), 3500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Luscombe
Registration: N1866B
Model/Series: 8 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1948
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 6293
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/15/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5568.67 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C-90-12K
Registered Owner: Ronald J Morrison
Rated Power: 90 hp
Operator: Ronald J Morrison
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KJFX, 483 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2135 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 249°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bremen, AL (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bremen, AL (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1415 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Private Airport (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 564 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2400 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  33.983611, -87.059444 (est)