# NTSB CHI97LA112: Luscombe 8E, N26SH, Wautoma, WI, April 15, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1997, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Wautoma, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060726, -89.289558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0607&lon=-89.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA112

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26SH
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 43; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19970415005969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970415005969A), Apr 15, 1997: Luscom 8E, Wautoma, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft practicing touch and go landings, engine sputtered, rolled off end of runway and flipped over. (-23) on April 15, 1997, at approximtely 1750 CDT, a…

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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