# NTSB CHI92LA051: Luscombe 8-F, N1871B, Chapin, IA, December 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1991, 12:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Chapin, IA
- Location: 42.8353° N, 93.2220° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chapin, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8353&lon=-93.2220&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA051

## Probable cause

FAILED CONNECTING ROD WHICH RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AN ENGINE VIBRATION WAS NOTICED BY THE PILOT JUST PRIOR TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RURAL ROAD.  DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CONTACTED A SNOW DRIFT AND NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A FAILED CONNECTING ROD HAD RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1871B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1871B), registered now, S/N 6298, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8-F
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6298
- Airframe hours: 286
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul A. Sensor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1991, 18 hours before
- Departed: MCW, MASON CITY, IA
- Destination: HPT, HAMPTON, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 193 total, 109 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: MCW, 15 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 19911211055639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911211055639A), Dec 11, 1991: Luscom 8F, Chapin, IA, Substantial damage. Engine threw a connecting rod en route. Landed on a road. Struck a snow drift and nosed over.

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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