Probable cause
The pilot's incapacitation and subsequent loss of airplane control due to heat exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The 85-year old pilot was on his third flight of the day. After boarding the airplane, he reported sitting in the airplane for a "lengthy" period of time waiting for an engine start by hand-propping the airplane. He recalled adding full power for takeoff and then "everything went black." He was unable to recall any further details of the event. A witness reported about 400-500 feet from takeoff the airplane veered off the runway, crossed an open area, a closed diagonal runway, a taxiway and ran into a drainage ditch. The witness stated it did not appear the pilot made any control inputs after applying full power. The heat index was 105° F. Based on the information and the extreme heat, it is likely that the pilot blacked out due to heat exhaustion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA313 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Perry, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Perry Municipal (KF22)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
Luscombe 8E
- N-number
- N2789K
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.