GALVESTON, TX, USA
N25270
Luscombe 8C
The pilot attempted to takeoff in the tailwheel equipped airplane with the co-pilot's seatbelt wrapped around the co-pilot's flight control. After the airplane became airborne, the pilot reduced the engine power and attempted to land on the runway. The airplane impacted the runway with the tail wheel and the right main landing gear first. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed down.
On April 16, 2000, at 1400 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8C tail wheel equipped airplane, N25270, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff initial climb near Galveston, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant and registered owner of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating from the Scholes Field Airport near Galveston, Texas, at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, the pilot attempted to takeoff on runway 17 with the co-pilot's seatbelt wrapped around the co-pilot's flight control. The pilot stated that after the airplane became airborne, he reduced the engine power and attempted to land on the runway. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane impacted the runway with the tail wheel and the right main landing gear first. The right main landing gear collapsed and the outboard 5 feet of the right wing was structurally damaged upon impact with the ground. The airplane then impacted the ground with the left main landing gear, which collapsed. The airplane subsequently nosed down, structurally damaging the firewall. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the pilot attempting to takeoff with the elevator and ailerons locked by the passenger side seatbelt.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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