Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8E near Perry, OK — 2015-07-22

Final reportCEN15LA313
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Date
2015-07-22
Location
Perry, OK, USA
Airport
KF22
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8E
Registration
N2789K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's incapacitation and subsequent loss of airplane control due to heat exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The 85-year old pilot was on his third flight of the day. After boarding the airplane, he reported sitting in the airplane for a "lengthy" period of time waiting for an engine start by hand-propping the airplane. He recalled adding full power for takeoff and then "everything went black." He was unable to recall any further details of the event. A witness reported about 400-500 feet from takeoff the airplane veered off the runway, crossed an open area, a closed diagonal runway, a taxiway and ran into a drainage ditch. The witness stated it did not appear the pilot made any control inputs after applying full power. The heat index was 105° F. Based on the information and the extreme heat, it is likely that the pilot blacked out due to heat exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after losing control at full throttle.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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