CHI97LA112

NTSB accident investigation · Luscombe 8E · Wautoma, WI · April 15, 1997

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 15, 1997, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
Place
Wautoma, WI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N26SHLuscombe 8E
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 25, 1997
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19970415005969A
Case key
10550

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of the throttle. Factors were a crosswind and soft terrain.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

OverrunLanding - roll
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Aborted landing - initiatedPilot in command
Throttle/power control - improper use ofPilot in commandCause
Nose overLanding - roll
Terrain condition - softFactor

Analysis

In his statement, the pilot indicated that the fourth touch & go landing 'Took awhile to get the plane on its mains because of the gusty conditions.' He said that when the power was advanced 'the engine sputtered. Pushed in carburetor heat. Still sputtered. Pumped throttle, still sputtered.' He next 'Put the tail down, and started breaking.' During the aborted takeoff roll the aircraft 'Ran off the end of 13 into a freshly plowed [soft] sandy field. The main wheels dug in and the plane went on to its back.' The airplane came to rest approximately 420 feet past the end of runway 13 inverted. Subsequently the pilot said, 'I believe I pushed power in to fast and flooded engine. Pumping throttle made it worse.'

Factual narrative

On April 15, 1997, at 1750 central daylight time a Luscombe 8E, N26SH, sustained substantial damage during an overrun on landing on runway 13 (3,300' x 60' dry/asphalt) at Wautoma Municipal Airport, near Wautoma, Wisconsin. The private pilot 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 Ripon, Wisconsin, at 1730.

In a written statement, the pilot wrote that he left a private strip near Ripon, Wisconsin at 1730 central daylight time, to preform in touch and go's at Wautoma Municipal Airport. Upon arrival, he flew over the airport and entered the pattern for runway 13. The pilot reported that, "I flew a normal pattern and set the plane on its main wheels almost at the center point of 13." He said it, "Took awhile to get the plane on its mains because of the gusty conditions." He said, when the power was advanced, "the engine sputtered. Pushed in carburetor heat. Still sputtered. Pumped throttle, still sputtered." The pilot reported that he next, "Put the tail down, and started breaking." During the aborted takeoff roll the aircraft, "Ran off the end of 13 into a freshly plowed [soft] sandy field. The main wheels dug in and the plane went on to its back." The airplane came to rest approximately 420 feet past the end of runway 13 inverted. Subsequently the pilot said, "I believe I pushed power in to fast and flooded engine. Pumping throttle made it worse."

Aircraft

Registration
N26SH
Reported as
Luscombe 8E
Category
Airplane
Serial number
26SH
Airframe hours
2,000
Engine
Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
David A. Johnson
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · June 30, 1996 · 11 hours before
Departed
WI67 · Ripon, WI
Destination
Y50
Airport
Y50 · Wautoma, runway 13, 3,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
750 total · 75 in this make and model · 750 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
240° at 15 knots, gusting 19
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
59 °F, dew point 39 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
KOS, 20 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.