Pilot Debrief

SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A near Creswell, OR — 2015-09-07

Final reportWPR15FA258
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Date
2015-09-07
Location
Creswell, OR, USA
Airport
77S
Aircraft
SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A
Registration
N4948E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to return to the runway shortly after takeoff, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall and spin.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were departing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The flight was the first flight following the airplane's most recent annual inspection. One witness heard a radio transmission over the airport's common traffic advisory frequency that the airplane was experiencing a fire and returning to the airport. Another witness stated that his attention was drawn to the airplane when he heard a "pop," which was followed by a loss of power. All witness accounts were consistent with the airplane entering a steep left bank between 200 and 250 ft above ground level. As the airplane turned, the nose dropped, and the airplane descended to the ground. None of the witnesses observed any smoke or fire coming from the airplane before impact. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire. Despite the pilot's report of a fire, there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies found with the airplane or engine, and the investigation was unable to determine the source of the in-flight fire, if any. The terrain in front of the airplane as it departed the airport was mainly open, flat farm fields; such an area would be favorable for a straight-ahead, forced landing. Although the pilot perceived some anomaly during takeoff that prompted him to initiate a forced landing, the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to complete the 180-degree turn back to the runway. The pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and subsequently entering an aerodynamic stall and spin during the attempted turn.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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