# NTSB CHI02LA017: Luscombe LL-8-E, N1243K, Bellaire, MI, October 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 2001, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Bellaire, MI - Coordinates: 44.970897, -85.200904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9709&lon=-85.2009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA017 ## Probable cause the unsuitable terrain for landing selected by the pilot. A factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The floatplane nosed over during landing on grass. The pilot reported he landed the airplane with a slight nose high attitude, using a small amount of power to skid the floats onto the grass at 50 mph. He reported that, "After a measured run out distance of 43' the floats settled thru the grass into the soft sand. At 54' run out distance, [the] floats dug into sand and caused airplane to flip over, upside down." The pilot reported he had been landing floatplanes on grass for 20 years. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 2001, at 1050 eastern standard time, a Luscombe LL-8-E floatplane, N1243K, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing on the grass which paralleled taxiway A at the Antrim County Airport (ACB), Bellaire, Michigan. The airline transport pilot, who had single and multiengine seaplane ratings, was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Lake Ellsworth, Ellsworth, Michigan, at 1040 and was making a full stop landing on the grass at ACB. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he landed the airplane with a slight nose high attitude, using a small amount of power to skid the floats onto the grass at 50 mph. He reported that, "After a measured run out distance of 43' the floats settled thru the grass into the soft sand. At 54' run out distance, [the] floats dug into sand and caused airplane to flip over, upside down." The pilot reported he had been landing floatplanes on grass for 20 years. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1243K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1243K-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 3970, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe LL-8-E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3970 - Airframe hours: 1968 - Engines: Continental O-200-A41 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John H. VanAndel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2001, 55 hours before - Departed: Lake Ellsworth, MI - Destination: ACB, Bellaire, MI - Airport: ACB, Antrim County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 20, 1999; seat: right; flight hours: 31,500 total, 55 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: ACB ## 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 20011031029909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011031029909A), Oct 31, 2001: Luscom 8E, Bellaire, MI, No damage. (-23) The pilot attempted to land the floatplane on the grass parallel to taxiway alpha. A normal full flap approach was made. The pilot touched down on the… ## Other investigations on N1243K (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 SEA70DWG18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70DWG18), Jun 21, 1970: Luscombe 8E (N1243K), Okanogan, WA, substantial damage 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.