Accident Overview
On December 4, 2019, at 1657 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, registration N45606, sustained substantial damage during takeoff at Vinland Valley Aerodrome (K64), Baldwin City, Kansas. The private pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight, not on a flight plan. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Flight History
The local flight originated from K64 at 1605. The flight instructor was conducting a 14 CFR Part 61.56 flight review. The pilot had just completed a "good" wheel landing and intended to perform an additional takeoff to practice a three-point landing.
During the takeoff roll, when the airplane was about 600 feet down runway 16 (3,030 ft by 80 ft, dry turf), it crossed over the runway centerline to the right. The pilot applied left rudder control input, but the airplane continued right. It then departed the runway and entered a soft, muddy farm field, where it nosed over.
Damage and Mechanical Findings
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane.