# NTSB CHI92LA091: Luscombe 8E, N1778K, Farrar, MO, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Farrar, MO
- Coordinates: 37.710311, -89.689147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7103&lon=-89.6891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA091

## Probable cause

PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND POOR PLANNING BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND MISJUDGED COMPENSATION FOR IT ALONG WITH THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT OBTAINED FUEL FROM A LOCAL FARMER, REFUELED THE AIRPLANE AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN WITH A TAILWIND, THE AIRPLANE BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF WHEN THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1778K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1778K-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 4505, 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: 4505
- Airframe hours: 2052
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Storie, Kenneth J
- Registered owner: Storie, Kenneth J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 46 hours before
- Destination: K02, PERRYVILLE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,672 total, 38 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °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 19920215002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920215002949A), Feb 15, 1992: Luscom 8E, Farrar, MO, Substantial damage. Landed in field due fuel exhaustion. Refuled. Tried takeoff downwind rough terrain. Settled. Sheared landing gear.

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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