On April 26, 1999, a Luscombe L-8F (registration N45627) was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate terrain clearance during the initial climb, and the inadvertent stall/spin during the turn to avoid terrain. A factor in this accident was the pilot exceeding the allowable maximum gross weight of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
According to the NTSB, the pilot took off at maximum gross weight, attempted to cross a ridge, then turned steeply toward water before entering a spin and descending into trees.
Accident Overview
The pilot told the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the airplane departed at its maximum gross weight. During the initial climb, the pilot attempted to cross a ridge but found the airplane was not gaining sufficient altitude to clear the terrain. The pilot then turned the airplane toward the water in a steep bank, after which the airplane entered a spin and descended into trees.
Aircraft Performance
The pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally before the accident. No preaccident anomalies were identified by state troopers at the scene or by the NTSB metallurgy laboratory. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was 1,484 pounds, while the allowable takeoff weight was 1,375 pounds.
Investigation Findings
The NTSB investigation did not reveal any mechanical or structural failures. The pilot's account indicated that the airplane's performance was insufficient to clear the ridge during the climb, and the subsequent turn led to a spin entry.