Luscombe 8E N2368K accident near West Bend, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot‘s failure to maintain clearance from power lines at the end of the short runway, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent nose-over of the airplane.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed a 1,500-foot-long grass runway in calm wind conditions and was unable to gain enough altitude to clear power lines at the end of the runway. He aborted the takeoff and landed in a plowed field near the departure end of the runway. The airplane nosed over on landing damaging the vertical stabilizer, the right wing tip, both main landing gear, and the propeller. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He said the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for better wind conditions or extended the takeoff roll to gain additional airspeed.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA042 for the full record.