# Accident 20210904014049A: Luscombe 8A, Fort Wayne, IN, September 4, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 4, 2021, 14:30 local time
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Airport: Smith Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.9809° N, 85.1879° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9809&lon=-85.1879&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2071K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2071K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Luscombe 8A (registry code 8190104, https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C-85
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 637 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA400) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210904014049A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2021, AT APPROXIMATELY 1430 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A LUSCOMBE 8A AIRCRAFT, N2071K, OVERRAN RUNWAY 5 AT SMITH FIELD (SMD), FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.  THE PRIVATE PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT.  DAYLIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE FLIGHT, WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE SMD AIRPORT.

THE PILOT STOPPED FOR FUEL ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND WAS DEPARTING FOR HIS DESTINATION.  AFTER A SUCCESSFUL ENGINE RUN-UP, HE DEPARTED RUNWAY 23 AT SMD.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE STARTED SURGING, THEN LOST POWER.  THE PILOT TURNED BACK TO LAND ON RUNWAY 5, WITH A TAILWIND, AND TOUCHED DOWN JUST SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD OF RUNWAY 23.  HE VEERED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID AN EMBANKMENT AHEAD AND WENT INTO A BEAN FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

THIS REPORT MAY BE AMENDED BASED ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY NTSB.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN21LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA400), Sep 4, 2021: Luscombe 8A (N2071K), Fort Wayne, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power after takeoff due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground and the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immediately before takeoff.

## Other reports on N2071K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19850725033729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725033729A), Jul 25, 1985: Luscom 8A (N2071K), Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Nosed over after tail lifted during rollout. Wheel landing attempted.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.