# NTSB CHI08CA118: Luscombe 8A, N28403, Remus, MI, April 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2008, 19:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Remus, MI - Coordinates: 43.554443, -84.978614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5544&lon=-84.9786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Grand Rapids, MI, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA118 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during approach due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident were the unsuitable terrain and a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,153 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,153 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a local flight while on a base leg the engine began running rough. He turned final, applied power, and the engine began running smoothly. The engine then ran rough and smooth again according to the pilot. He said that the airplane contacted the ground short of the runway due to the loss of engine power. He stated that a wing impacted a tree during the landing. The airplane subsequently nosed over. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage. A brown varnish like substance was found seeping from the carburetor's fuel line. No further pre-impact anomalies were detected. The pilot reported that he used "automobile" gas and that "some fuel in the gas tank was left over from last year." His safety recommendation was that he "will never use other than fresh fuel [and] will completely drain old gas from tank at end of flying season." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a local flight while on a base leg the engine began running rough. He turned final, applied power, and the engine began running smoothly. The engine then ran rough and smooth again according to the pilot. He said that the airplane contacted the ground short of the runway due to the loss of engine power. He stated that a wing impacted a tree during the landing. The airplane subsequently nosed over. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage. A brown varnish like substance was found seeping from the carburetor's fuel line. No further pre-impact anomalies were detected. The pilot reported that he used "automobile" gas and that "some fuel in the gas tank was left over from last year." His safety recommendation was that he "will never use other than fresh fuel [and] will completely drain old gas from tank at end of flying season." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28403](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28403-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 1270, 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: 1270 - Airframe hours: 3165.7 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007 - Departed: W53, Remus, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 15 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: MOP ## Other investigations on N28403 (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 CHI06CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA251), Sep 3, 2006: Luscombe 8A (N28403), Elwell, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane nosed over as a result of the pilot's excessive braking after he failed to attain the proper touchdown point and failed to perform a go-around. 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.