N2438KLuscombe 8E2006-07-20 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Luscombe 8ES/N: 5165

Summary

On July 20, 2006, a Luscombe 8E (N2438K) was involved in an incident near Willow, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during landing, which resulted in an undershoot and an in-flight collision with trees.

On July 20, 2006, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Luscombe 8E airplane, N2438K, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip about 5 miles east of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Birchwood, Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 0820.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC06LA094. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2438K.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, July 20, 2006
NTSB Number
ANC06LA094
Location
Willow, AK
Event ID
20060928X01422
Coordinates
61.756942, -150.052780
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during landing, which resulted in an undershoot and an in-flight collision with trees.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
LUSCOMBE
Serial Number
5165
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
8EL8
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
8E

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SCHWISTER STEVEN W
Address
18099 ELMCREST AVE N
City
FOREST LAKE
State / Zip Code
MN 55025-9749
Country
United States

Analysis

On July 20, 2006, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Luscombe 8E airplane, N2438K, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip about 5 miles east of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Birchwood, Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 0820.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 20, the pilot reported that while landing to the south, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend into an area that contained trees, about 25 feet short of the airstrip. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot noted in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC06LA094