Joliet, IL, USA
N1970K
Luscombe 8E
The aircraft was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff roll. The pilot reported that as he attempted to takeoff the aircraft encountered standing water on the turf runway and nosed over. He noted that he did not see the water on the runway prior to initiating the takeoff roll. The airport manager reported that the runway was saturated due to heavy rains the night prior to the accident. In addition to runway 4-22, the airport was served by runway 12-30 (2,937 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). Winds recorded at the airport at 1505 hours were from 340 degrees at 5 knots.
On June 12, 2004, approximately 1500 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1970K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff roll on runway 22 (3,228 feet by 140 feet, turf) at Joliet Regional Airport (JOT), Joliet, Illinois. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that as he attempted to takeoff the aircraft encountered standing water on the turf runway and subsequently nosed over. He noted that he did not see the water on the runway prior to initiating the takeoff roll. He stated that there were no malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. The airport manager reported that the runway was saturated due to heavy rains the night prior to the accident. He reported observing standing water on the runway while at the accident scene. The airport had not issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) concerning the runway condition prior to the time of the accident. In addition to runway 4-22, the airport was served by runway 12-30 (2,937 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). Winds recorded by the JOT Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at 1505 were from 340 degrees at 5 knots.
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and the subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control during the encounter with the standing water. Contributing factors were the standing water and the soft runway condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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