NAMPA, ID, USA
N1895B
Luscombe 8F
The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground run, he was momentarily distracted by looking in the cockpit and away from the airstrip, when the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot tried to correct with braking action which exaggerated the left turn. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane before it exited the side of the runway and nosed over in the soft soil. There was no evidence found of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
On June 26, 1999, at 0930 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1895B, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the takeoff ground roll from the Nampa Municipal Airport, Nampa, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. The flight was destined for Driggs, Idaho. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 29, he was momentarily distracted by looking in the cabin and away from the airstrip, when the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot applied braking action which exaggerated the left turn. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane before it exited the side of the runway about 400 feet from the initiating ground run and nosed over in the soft soil. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the landing gear and brake system. The inspector reported that he did not find any evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
Directional control was not maintained. Diverted attention was a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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