History of Flight
On June 26, 2011, at 1450 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe model 8A airplane, registration N71687, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver at a private airstrip near Farmdale, Ohio. The pilot, who was the registered owner, operated the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Several witnesses observed the airplane perform aerobatic maneuvers on earlier flights that day. During the accident flight, witnesses reported that shortly after liftoff on a southerly heading, the airplane entered a near-vertical climb to about 300 feet above the ground, then turned left and descended nose-down toward the runway. One witness described the maneuver as a wingover or hammerhead; another stated the airplane appeared to stall at the climb's apex, and noted the engine operated at high speed during the descent. The airplane impacted the grass runway while recovering from the dive on a northerly heading. The pilot reported that the accident occurred during his first flight of the day with a passenger, and he recalled an uneventful takeoff but no subsequent events.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 38, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating, issued on October 15, 2006. His last aviation medical examination was on July 5, 2005, with no limitations. According to his logbook, he had accumulated 570 total flight hours, including 536 hours as pilot-in-command and 483.3 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He had flown 46.5 hours in the past year. No previous accidents, incidents, or enforcement proceedings were recorded with the FAA.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a 1946 Luscombe model 8A, serial number 3114, powered by a 65-horsepower Continental Motors A-65-8 reciprocating engine. It was equipped with a fixed-pitch two-blade McCauley propeller and had a certified maximum takeoff weight of 1,260 pounds. The airframe had accumulated 1,861 total service hours; the engine had 614.5 hours since overhaul. The last annual inspection was completed on April 5, 2011, and no unresolved airworthiness issues were noted.
Meteorological Information
The nearest weather reporting station was Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, about 11 miles south. At 1451, the automated surface observing system reported wind from 010 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3,800 feet agl, a broken ceiling at 22,000 feet agl, temperature 23°C, dew point 13°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Postaccident examination revealed all airframe and flight control components at the site. A ground depression consistent with initial right wing impact was found about 40 feet south of the main wreckage, which was located along the eastern edge of the runway, facing southeast. Flight control continuity was established. The throttle control was found in the full aft position and bent; other controls were forward. The magneto switch was on BOTH, the fuel selector ON. The engine rotated freely, produced compression and spark, and contained uncontaminated fuel. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures was found.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot provided a blood sample that tested negative for alcohol and drugs. An autopsy on the passenger, age 30, attributed death to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing of the passenger detected ethanol: 111 mg/dL in urine, 85 mg/dL in vitreous, and 56 mg/dL in blood. No carbon monoxide or cyanide was detected.