Luscombe

September 2, 2021, Enterprise, Ore. Cessna 172E Skyhawk At about 1130 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when its nose wheel assembly failed and it departed the runway before nosing over onto its back. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Just prior to lifting off from a grass strip, the […]

In 1948, living in New Jersey, I wanted very much to get into flying. My inquiries led me to Secaucus (now a metropolis in its own right, 10 minutes from New York City), where I found the Dawn Patrol seaplane base located on the Hackensack River. The owner-operator was a veteran Navy pilot, who just a […]

Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

On the YouTube video, you hear the distinctive whine of a turboprop engine spooling up. But the sight picture doesn’t match up. Isn’t that a 1948 Luscombe 8E? The extended nose is the tipoff that this is no piston-slapping flivver of an airplane. And then, it backs up on the ramp. This turboprop-powered Luscombe is […]

At about 1605 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the airplane was circling and maneuvering at a low altitude around the beach area when they observed it ascend abruptly.

At approximately 1400 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during takeoff. The private pilot/owner was fatally injured and the CFI sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Two witnesses saw the airplane lift off the runway and climb to approximately 20 feet agl when the engine began to “sputter.” The airplane landed on the runway before initiating a second takeoff. During the second takeoff, the airplane reached approximately 50 feet; the engine continued to sputter. One witness described the airplane rocking from side to side, at a slow airspeed, prior to descending nose-first and impacting the runway.

At about 1450 Eastern time, the airplane incurred substantial damage when it impacted trees following a total loss of engine power. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger was killed. Visual conditions prevailed. About 20 minutes after takeoff, while cruising at 1500 feet agl, the pilot noted the engine oil temperature was rising. Once the engine temperature past the 200 degree point, he checked with the onboard GPS for the nearest airport.

Q: I would like to get my Sport Pilot Certificate and have a lot of questions about the training requirements. But first, I have an opportunity to purchase a Luscombe 8E. Can a sport pilot fly this airplane? A: Congratulations on your goal to become a sport pilot! But don’t buy the Luscombe 8E. Other […]

At about 1830 Pacific time, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing on a highway following a flight-control malfunction. During the attempt, the left main landing gear was sheared off after it struck the top of a moving truck and the left wing was damaged when it struck a fence pole. The solo commercial pilot and the two occupants in the moving truck were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.

At about 1615 Pacific time, the airplane lost engine power during takeoff and crashed in a field. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail section. Visual conditions prevailed.