# NTSB CHI07CA156: Luscombe 8A, N2897K, Elwood, IN, May 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2007, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Elwood, IN - Coordinates: 40.233333, -85.816665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2333&lon=-85.8167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Indianapolis, IN FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA156 ## Probable cause The commercial pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and airspeed which resulted in the airplane mushing into the terrain during the simulated forced landing along with the CFI's failure to adequately supervise the commercial pilot's actions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - emergency procedure - simulated - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane contacted the ground following a loss of control during a simulated forced landing. Both pilots stated they had performed two simulated emergency landing approaches and the accident occurred on the third simulated emergency landing. Both pilots reported that during the third simulated emergency, the commercial pilot made a 180 degree turn to return to the landing strip. The commercial pilot reported they were "to low and to slow" when they reached the landing strip. The CFI reported he added full power, but it was too late and the airplane contacted the ground at a slow speed. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2007, at 0930 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N2897K, collided with the terrain during a simulated forced landing to a private airstrip in Elwood, Indiana. The commercial pilot was not injured and the certified flight instructor (CFI) on board sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The purpose of the flight was for the commercial pilot to receive a flight review. The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Elwood, Indiana, at 0915. Both pilots stated they had performed two simulated emergency landing approaches and the accident occurred on the third simulated emergency. Both pilots reported that during the third simulated emergency, the commercial pilot made a 180 degree turn to return to the landing strip. The commercial pilot reported they were "to low and to slow" when they reached the landing strip. The CFI reported he added full power, but it was too late and the airplane contacted the ground at a slow speed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2897K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2897K-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 5624, built 1947 (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: 5624 - Engines: Continental A-65 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Corwin R. Day - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3I1, Elwood, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,952 total, 1,118 in this make and model, 1,934 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 61; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 5,447 total, 60 in this make and model, 5,317 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg ## 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 20070525009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070525009119A), May 25, 2007: Luscom 8A, Elwood, IN, Destroyed. (-23) On may 25, 2007 at approximately 0930 local time while performing a simulated forced landing at a Private airstrip south east of Elwood Indiana the… 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.