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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 9, 1982 · Luscombe 8A · N2248K

Fredonia, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Fredonia, KS
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N2248K
Operator
K C Relph
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC82FCQ09

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER TAKING OFF ON A TEST FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP ANGLE OF CLIMB, AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ADJUSTING THE MAGNETOS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE DRIVEN CLOCKWISE ON THE ENGINE, AND BOTH PRODUCED A GOOD SPARK WHEN BENCH TESTED. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR AND BREAKER WERE SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. THE LEFT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR WAS SET IN A CLOCKWISE POSITION, WHILE THE RESPECTIVE BREAKER CAM WAS SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE, MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING COULD NOT BE CHECKED. BOTH MAGNETOS HAD BEEN SET AT THE LIMITS OF THEIR MOUNTING SLOTS ON THE ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER TAKING OFF ON A TEST FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP ANGLE OF CLIMB, AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ADJUSTING THE MAGNETOS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE DRIVEN CLOCKWISE ON THE ENGINE, AND BOTH PRODUCED A GOOD SPARK WHEN BENCH TESTED. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR AND BREAKER WERE SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. THE LEFT MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR GEAR WAS SET IN A CLOCKWISE POSITION, WHILE THE RESPECTIVE BREAKER CAM WAS SET FOR COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION. DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE, MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING COULD NOT BE CHECKED. BOTH MAGNETOS HAD BEEN SET AT THE LIMITS OF THEIR MOUNTING SLOTS ON THE ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportFredonia Municipal (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length2430 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN2248K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorK C Relph
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data