# NTSB CEN10LA012: Luscombe 8E, N1536B, Weeping Water, NE, October 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2009, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Weeping Water, NE - Coordinates: 40.8675, -96.11 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8675&lon=-96.1100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the stuck exhaust valve resulting in the partial loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Luscombe 8E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8190112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the departure climb, the pilot noted a partial loss of engine power and attempted to return to the airport. The airplane impacted a cornfield in a nose low attitude resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. An examination of the engine revealed that the number two exhaust valve was stuck in the open position. An examination of the remaining engine and airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 11, 2009, approximately 1530 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1536B, was substantially damaged when it impacted a cornfield near Weeping Water, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot was seriously injured. The cross-country flight departed Browns Airport (NE69) Weeping Water, Nebraska, and was en route to Omaha, Nebraska. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a written statement and subsequent telephone conversation with the pilot, he had just fueled the airplane with eight gallons of fuel, and performed an engine run-up. The pilot reported that during the departure climb, something was not “right” and the engine did not seem to be producing full power. He attempted to return to the airport but did not recall any of the events that followed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who traveled to the scene, the airplane impacted a cornfield in a nose low attitude. Both wings exhibited aft accordion crushing and the left wing was partially separated. The fuselage was crushed and bent and the empennage was slightly wrinkled but otherwise unremarkable. The propeller remained attached to the engine assembly and the engine was crushed aft into the cabin area of the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered to a facility in Ottawa, Kansas, for further examination. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, Teledyne Continental Motors, and an inspector from the FAA examined the wreckage on December 1, 2009. An examination of the airframe revealed that the fuel system and flight control system were continuous and did not exhibit any preimpact anomalies. An examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust valve on the number two cylinder was stuck in the open position and would not move when the engine was rotated by hand at the propeller flange. The oil filter screen was free of metal contamination. According to the engine logbooks, the most recent engine overhaul was performed on April 6, 1964. According to Teledyne Continental Motors Service Information Letter (SIL) 98-9A - Time Between Overhaul Periods - the C85 engine is to be overhauled every 1,800 hours of operation or 12 years, whichever occurs first. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1536B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1536B-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 6163, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6163 - Airframe hours: 1619 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2009, 6 hours before - Departed: KNE6, Weeping Water, NE - Destination: K3NO, Omaha, NE - Airport: NE69, Browns Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 4, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,123 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,049 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KOFF, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20091011050329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091011050329A), Oct 11, 2009: Luscombe 8E, Weeping Water, NE, Destroyed. The pilot of N1536B accomplished a preflight and fueled his recently purchased Luscombe 8E for a 35 minute flight in daylight visual meteorological conditions.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74893. 510 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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. --- 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.