# NTSB CHI98LA183: Luscombe 8E, N1968K, Montague, MI, May 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1998, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Montague, MI - Coordinates: 43.460575, -86.389808 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4606&lon=-86.3898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10900/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA183 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. Factors to the accident were the carburetor icing conditions and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was approximately 60' above ground level (agl) after takeoff when the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he pitched the nose forward and attempted to troubleshoot the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that the engine gained partial power, but then lost engine power again almost immediately. The aircraft struck some tree tops, approximately 50' agl, and then subsequently impacted the ground. Post accident investigation of the aircraft showed no anomalies with the engine, fuel related systems, and ignition systems. A weather observation, taken from Muskegon County Airport at 0913, indicated that the ambient temperature was 64-degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point temperature was 54-degrees Fahrenheit. According to the table 'Conditions Known Favorable For Carburetor Icing,' the above noted temperatures were favorable for moderate carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1998, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1968K, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees and terrain, during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 35 (2600' x 25', dry, asphalt) at the Ottiger Airport, near Montague, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injures. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that he was approximately 60' above ground level (agl) after takeoff when the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he pitched the nose forward and attempted to troubleshoot the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that the engine gained partial power, but then lost engine power again almost immediately. The pilot stated that there was not enough altitude to turn back to the airport, and he did not want to enter a stall-spin situation. The aircraft struck some tree tops, approximately 50' agl, and then subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot stated that both fuel lines were separated from the wing tanks, as result from the impact, and fuel was pouring out. Post accident investigation, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), showed that the left wing had been separated from the aircraft, leaving the left fuel tank compromised. The right wing was still partially attached to the fuselage, with the evidence of useable fuel in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector and ignition switch were in the "Off" position. The pilot confirmed that he placed them in the "Off" position after the accident. The fuel type was determined to be auto-fuel. There was confirmation that the aircraft had a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the use of auto-fuel. There was evidence of carbon build-up on the upper and lower spark plugs of the number two cylinder. The carburetor was disassembled and inspected. The fuel inlet screen was found to be clean. It was noted that there was no fuel in the bottom of the bowl assembly. The fuel sump bowl was disassembled and inspected, and was found to be clean. The crank shaft was rotated, by hand, and the engine had compression in all cylinders. It was noted that the magneto impulse coupling was functional. There were no other engine or aircraft anomalies found. A weather observation, taken from Muskegon County Airport at 0913, indicated that the ambient temperature was 64-degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point temperature was 54-degrees Fahrenheit. The weather observation station is 18 nautical miles northwest of the accident site. The above weather observation was taken 17 minutes before the occurrence time. According to the table "Conditions Known Favorable For Carburetor Icing," appended to this report, the above noted temperatures were favorable for moderate carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1968K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1968K), registered now, S/N 4695 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4695 - Airframe hours: 968 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rex A. Converse - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1998, 7 hours before - Departed: PVT - Destination: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI - Airport: PVT, Ottiger Airport, runway 35, 2,600 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 467 total, 155 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKG, 18 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 19980530011419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980530011419A), May 30, 1998: Luscom 8E, Montague, MI, Substantial damage. Acft engine lost power on takeoff and the acft crashed while attempting to return to the field. (.4)the pilot stated that he was approximately 60' above ground… 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.