Luscombe 8A accident near Oxford, Iowa, July 19, 2015
On July 19, 2015 at about 1:10 am local time, a 1946 Luscombe 8A, registered N45508, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Oxford, Iowa (Green Castle airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff based on the runway and density altitude conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2015 · about 1:10 am local time
- Place
- Oxford, Iowa · Green Castle · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A, built 1946 · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N45508 · no longer on the register · serial 2035
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during takeoff, he applied full power and the airplane reached rotation speed. After liftoff, the airplane reached a height of about three or four feet and settled back to the runway. The airplane veered left, exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported the airplane was near maximum gross takeoff weight and he should have calculated density altitude before the flight. The pilot also stated he should have built up more speed before rotation. Weather about the time of the accident was reported as 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was 250 degrees at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2,923 feet. The airport elevation is 750 feet and the runway heading was reported as 150 degrees true. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll from a 1,400 foot turf runway that adjoined a 2600 foot asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area condition › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 149 hours in all; 118 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 149 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,488.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12F (piston); 882 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IA24 Oxford IA at 1:10 am
- Destination: IA24 Oxford IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway SE, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
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.