On June 9, 1995, a Luscombe 8A (registration N1143B) operated by William R. Ryesterer was involved in an aviation accident near Farmington, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a touch-and-go landing, a solo student pilot added power for takeoff, causing the aircraft to turn left and exit the runway onto soft ground. The right main landing gear folded, and the nose and right wing dug in.
Event Sequence
During a touch-and-go landing, the solo student pilot added power for takeoff. The aircraft subsequently turned left and departed the side of the runway onto soft ground. As a result, the right main landing gear folded, and the nose and right wing dug into the ground.
Wind Conditions
The wind at the time of the incident was 40 degrees right of the nose at a speed of 5 knots.
Pilot Experience
The pilot was on his first solo flight after receiving an endorsement. He had accumulated a total of 52 flight hours, of which 48 hours were in the same make and model of the aircraft. His pilot-in-command time was 40 minutes.