Luscombe 8F accident near Leesburg, Virginia, July 10, 1994
On July 10, 1994 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Luscombe 8F, registered N1946X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Leesburg, Virginia (Godfrey Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate incompensation for wind conditions resulting in loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 1994 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Leesburg, Virginia · Godfrey Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8F · all 8Fs on the register
- Registration
- N1946X · no longer on the register · serial 6373
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED SHE LANDED ON RUNWAY 17, AND IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY, BECAUSE OF A STRONG TAILWIND. THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, AND LEAVE THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A COLLISION WITH TREES AND POSSIBLY GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL; THEREFORE, SHE APPLIED ENGINE POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TREES.
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
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 103 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,364 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 10, 1994; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VA62 Grass Patch VA at 2:00 pm
- Destination: JY0 VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.