NTSB CEN13CA453 — 2013-07-31 · Ellinwood, Kansas, United States

Current FAA registration · N45957

Make / Model: LUSCOMBE 8A
Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19560305
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A596B2

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N45957 Luscombe 8A None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane encountered soft ground conditions when it reached the shoulder of the runway. The airplane went into the adjoining field and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane encountered soft ground conditions when it reached the shoulder of the runway. The airplane went into the adjoining field and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa-Wet-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_CEN13CA453.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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