Luscombe 8A accident near Port Townsend, Washington, March 29, 2021
On March 29, 2021 at about 12:00 pm local time, a 1940 Luscombe 8A, registered N28461, was substantially damaged in an accident during prior to flight near Port Townsend, Washington (Jefferson County Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2021 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Port Townsend, Washington · Jefferson County Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A, built 1940 · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N28461 · registry record · serial 1328
- 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, after refueling his airplane, that was chocked, with the parking brake set, he attempted to hand prop the engine. After the engine started and while he was walking around the back of the airplane, the engine’s rpm began to increase, and the airplane began to pivot about 90° on the left wheel. When the airplane bypassed the wheel chock, it then rolled towards a fuel station. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the fuel station, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut.
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
- Ground handling event during prior to flight defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › Tie › down/mooring › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,204 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,144 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 28, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,148.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 26, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 4,148 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLM Port Angeles WA at 6:45 pm
- Destination: S50 Auburn WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from KAWO, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAWO 291856Z AUTO 32010KT 10SM BKN060 08/M03 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP282 T00781028
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.