# NTSB CHI95LA275: Luscombe 8E, N1829K, Lowell, IN, August 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 1995, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Lowell, IN - Coordinates: 41.290554, -87.410552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2906&lon=-87.4106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA275 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot reported using carburetor heat initially when he began a descent, but removed the heat prior to attempting to add power. When he attempted to add power the engine did not respond. He was unable to restore power, and made a forced landing in a crop field 300 feet west of the intended runway. The pilot stated he felt the power loss resulted from carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 1995, at 1315 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1829K, owned and operated by a private pilot sustained substantial damaged during a forced landing 300 feet west of the Lowell, Indiana airport, following the total loss of engine power. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Morris, Illinois, at 1230. The forced landing took place in a farm field planted with a bean crop. The pilot told investigators that he thought that the engine power loss was due to carburetor ice. No weather reporting station was close to the location of the accident reporting both temperature and dew point. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane failed to reveal any pre-existing anomalies in the engine or airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1829K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1829K), registered now, S/N 4556, 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: 4556 - Airframe hours: 2211 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ortell, Wesley P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1994, 70 hours before - Departed: C09, MORRIS, IL - Destination: C97 ## 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: 355 total, 338 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F - Observed at: GYY, 25 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 19950806023339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950806023339A), Aug 6, 1995: Luscom 8E, Lowell, IN, Substantial damage. Lost power descending for airport. Clipped tree on final. Landed in beans beside runway and nosed over. Carb icing. (-23) see narrative #CHI95LA275 ## Other investigations on N1829K (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI75FEV03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEV03), Sep 4, 1974: Luscombe 8E (N1829K), Gillespie, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI66F0764](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0764), May 29, 1966: Luscombe 8E (N1829K), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.