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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 3, 2008 · Luscombe 8A · N37012

Indiantown, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Indiantown, FL
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N37012
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC08CA205

The Luscombe 8A was taking off from a turf runway, and had climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above ground level, when the left rudder cable failed. The airplane yawed to the right and the left wing and nose contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest on the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left rudder cable had separated at the first pulley under the cabin floor. The separated end of the cable was frayed and displayed evidence of corrosion. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 11 months prior to the accident. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic noted that the control cables were inspected for damage per a required Airworthiness Directive.

NTSB Probable Cause

An inadequate annual inspection that failed to detect a damaged rudder cable which resulted in the cable's subsequent failure during takeoff.

Full Narrative

The Luscombe 8A was taking off from a turf runway, and had climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above ground level, when the left rudder cable failed. The airplane yawed to the right and the left wing and nose contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest on the right side of the runway. The left outboard 4 feet of left wing was curled up, the left main landing gear separated and the fuselage was twisted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left rudder cable had separated at the first pulley under the cabin floor. The separated end of the cable was frayed and displayed evidence of corrosion. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 11 months prior to the accident. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic noted that the control cables were inspected for damage per a required Airworthiness Directive.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EDT
Nearest AirportIndiantown (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN37012
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · A65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 82 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data