Luscombe 8A accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, August 10, 1988
On August 10, 1988 at about 11:05 pm local time, a Luscombe 8A, registered N2232K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts (Plymouth airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 1988 · about 11:05 pm local time
- Place
- Plymouth, Massachusetts · Plymouth
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N2232K · no longer on the register · serial 4950
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF ON A HARD PACKED, GRASSY AREA BESIDE A PAVED RWY WITH A 12 KT HEADWIND. AFTER THE TAIL WAS RAISED, AND AT A POINT 900 FT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE ROLL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR LEG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING CRACK AROUND 3/4 OF THE LEG AND A FRESH BREAK ON THE REMAINING 1/4 OF THE LEG. ACCORDING TO A FAA OPS INSP WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION, COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE LEG 'RESULTED IN THE SHAFT EXTENDING. THIS EXTENSION CAUSED THE MECHANICAL BRAKES TO BE APPLIED TO THE RIGHT WHEEL, LOCKING UP THE BRAKE AND FLIPPING THE A/C ON ITS BACK.'
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 549 hours in all; 382 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 461 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,060 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1988; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PYM Plymouth MA at 11:05 pm
- Destination: PYM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,500 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Other NTSB records under N2232K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.