# NTSB CHI92LA097: Luscombe 8A, N1405K, Alpena, MI, February 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1992, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Alpena, MI
- Coordinates: 45.069358, -83.429695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0694&lon=-83.4297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA097

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. RELATED FACTORS ARE HIS MISJUDGED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT/AIRPLANE OWNER REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND ON FINAL APPROACH WHEN IT SUDDENLY DESCENDED INTO HARD PACKED SNOW SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE LANDING RUNWAY, 'RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK.' THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 276 HOURS, ALL IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1405K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1405K-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 4132, built 1946 (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: 413
- Airframe hours: 2993
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ableidinger, Michael A
- Registered owner: Ableidinger, Michael A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1991, 49 hours before
- Airport: APN, Alpena, runway 7, 5,030 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 276 total, 276 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APN, 1 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 19920221004039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920221004039A), Feb 21, 1992: Luscom 8A, Alpena, MI, Substantial damage. Student landed 100 feet short of runway on hard snow and nosed over. Blamed high sink rate on final.

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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