# NTSB CHI91LA256: Luscombe 8E, N45WB, Valparaiso, IN, August 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1991, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470561, -87.050018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4706&lon=-87.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA256

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.  A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (DESIGN CHANGE) PERFORMED BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON (PILOT IN COMMAND).

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial)
  - maintenance,design change - improper, unqualified person (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  WHILE IN A TURN TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FOUND A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE BLOCKING THE MAIN METERING ORIFICE IN THE CARBURETOR WHICH HAD MIGRATED FROM A MISSING GASKET ON THE DRAIN PLUG.  THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE HAD USED A SUBSTITUTE MATERIAL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE MISSING GASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45WB-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 4457, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William F. Bokodi
- Registered owner: William F. Bokodi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1991, 23 hours before
- Departed: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN
- Destination: 0SC, GRIFFITH, IN
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,543 total, 1,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: SBN, 35 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 19910811033059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910811033059A), Aug 11, 1991: Luscom 8E, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled and crashed trying to return. Had used liquid gasket seal on carb screen orifice.

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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