Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate incompensation for wind conditions resulting in loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated she landed on runway 17, and immediately experienced difficulty, because of a strong tailwind. The airplane started to drift to the right, and leave the runway. The pilot was concerned about a collision with trees and possibly going down a steep hill; therefore, she applied engine power and attempted to take off. The airplane became airborne, and collided with the trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Sunday, July 10, 1994, at 1045 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1946X, registered to and piloted by Janice M. Hundshamer, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees at Godfrey Field, Leesburg, Virginia. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, she radioed for an airport advisory approximately 5 miles from the airport. As she entered the traffic pattern the pilot heard an airplane that had just taken off call the UNICOM and tell them, "...the wind was a little tricky and that he recommend they change runway's." The pilot of N1946X wrote in her statement that the UNICOM operator replied, "...we're going to as soon as the Luscombe lands." The pilot wrote in her statement: When I touched down in a three point attitude, there was a wind condition that caused the plane to immediately swerve to the right at a fast rate. Left rudder had no effect, and I left the runway...I didn't want to go down the steep hill nor directly into the trees so I applied full power to try to go over the trees. The plane clipped the top of the trees...[the airplane turned] 180 degrees and came down in the trees and brush in a nose down attitude. -