# NTSB CHI07CA101: Luscombe 8A, N28428, Chippewa Falls, WI, April 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2007, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Chippewa Falls, WI - Coordinates: 44.993331, -91.383331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9933&lon=-91.3833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65663/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA101 ## Probable cause The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane traversing into a cornfield. A factor was the rough/uneven cornfield. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - Nose over, other - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The unoccupied airplane nosed over in a cornfield shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he had chocked both main landing gear, but there was no one at the aircraft controls during the engine start. Upon engine startup, the engine rpm "increased rapidly" before he had enough time to enter the airplane. The airplane reportedly "climbed over the chocks and started moving" and then traversed into a corn field before nosing over. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had secured the tailwheel with a tie-down for engine start. ## Factual narrative The unoccupied airplane nosed over in a cornfield shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he had chocked both main landing gear, but there was no one at the aircraft controls during the engine start. Upon engine startup, the engine rpm "increased rapidly" before he had enough time to enter the airplane. The airplane reportedly "climbed over the chocks and started moving" and then traversed into a corn field before nosing over. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had secured the tailwheel with a tie-down for engine start. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28428](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28428), registered now, S/N 1295, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1295 - Airframe hours: 2848 - Engines: Continental A85-B 86 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006 - Departed: 3W19, Chippewa Falls, WI - Airport: 3WI9, Rosenbaum Field Aiport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; flight hours: 410 total, 16 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: EAU, 9 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 20070415832229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070415832229A), Apr 15, 2007: Luscom 8A, Chippewa Falls, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that the was attempting to hand prop his aircraft. While attempting, the aircraft started and jumped the chokes. The aircraft then went… ## Other investigations on N28428 (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 ATL85FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA169), May 18, 1985: Luscombe 8-A (N28428), Columbiana, AL, 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.