# NTSB CHI84LA296: Luscombe 8A, N1187B, Madison, IN, July 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1984, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Madison, IN
- Coordinates: 38.749225, -85.38031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7492&lon=-85.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA296

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - improper
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND DID AN ENGINE RUN-UP BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING CLIMBOUT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 150 FEET THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN TREES. THE PLT STATED THAT HE USES A MIXTURE OF 100LL AND AUTOMOTIVE GRADE LOW LEAD FUEL. HE DRAINED APPROXIMATELY 4 GALLONS FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT DOES NOT HAVE AN STC FOR THE FUEL. NO PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1187B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1187B-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 5814, 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: 5814
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A658F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Whitesell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1983, 116 hours before
- Airport: IMS, Madison Mun.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 300 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840716035499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840716035499A), Jul 16, 1984: Luscom 8A, Madison, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Landed in trees. Was using auto fuel. No STC for auto fuel.

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.

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