# NTSB CHI87LA102: Luscombe 8A, N25333, Merrill, WI, March 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1987, 07:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Merrill, WI
- Coordinates: 45.179325, -89.699516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1793&lon=-89.6995&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 July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF AND PLT MADE A FORCED LANDNG IN A ROUGH FIELD. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE OUTER TWO FEET OF THE RIGHT WING WAS SUSTAINED. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT DID NOT DISCLOSE CAUSE OF POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25333](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25333), registered now, S/N 1209 (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: 1209
- Airframe hours: 2156
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Burton J. Schnur, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: RRL
- Airport: RRL, Merrill Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 91 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 17 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 19870321007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870321007069A), Mar 21, 1987: Luscom STC8LUSCOM, Merrill, WI, Substantial damage. The engine quit on takeoff. The aircraft landed in rough terrain. No cause could be found for failure. Auto gas.

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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