Amateur-built W-8 accident near Lamoni, Iowa, June 12, 2010
On June 12, 2010 at about 6:50 pm local time, a amateur-built W-8, registered N8519N, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Lamoni, Iowa (Lamoni Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-certificated pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff that exceeded the airplane's performance capability, which resulted in an overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2010 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Lamoni, Iowa · Lamoni Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built W-8
- Registration
- N8519N · no longer on the register · serial 453
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot stated that during takeoff the airplane did not have sufficient speed and did not feel right at a point on runway 36 where the airplane should have lifted off. The pilot then attempted to abort the takeoff, but the airplane overran the runway and nosed over. The airplane empennage was deformed upward and the left wing was deformed downward, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot did not have a pilot certificate and his last airman medical was dated December 18, 1999. The pilot did not have a pilot logbook nor any record of training, currency, or proficiency. Inspection of the airplane revealed that it was over gross weight at the time of the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 332 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,031 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 19, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LWD Lamoni IA
- Destination: LWD Lamoni IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,900 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from LWD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.