# NTSB CHI98LA232: Luscombe 8A, N71306, Chillicothe, MO, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1998, 15:18 local (20:18 UTC) - Place: Chillicothe, MO - Coordinates: 39.789451, -93.549407 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7895&lon=-93.5494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10946/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA232 ## Probable cause the improper use of the engine starting procedure. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot in command's lack of recent experience, the aircraft not being tied down, the utility pole and guy wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating - starting procedure - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - tie down - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - pole (contributing factor) - object - guy wire (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he couldn't find anyone to assist him in hand starting the aircraft, so he decided to proceed by himself. The pilot stated that he could not get the engine to start after many attempts. The pilot adjusted the throttle, increasing it, and again attempted to hand start the engine. The pilot stated that the engine started, ran rough for the first couple of rotations, and then the rpms began to increase rapidly. The aircraft began to pivot around the left main gear and the pilot was unable to access the cockpit to retard the throttle. The aircraft continued to turn to the left, departed the tarmac onto a grass area, until the right wing impacted a utility pole and guy wire. Post accident investigation revealed that the pilot had not had flown in over six years and had not had a Biennial Flight Review in over 72 months. It was also revealed that the hand brake only engages the left brake on the aircraft, which caused the aircraft to rotate about the left main gear. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1998, at 1518 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N71306, operated by a private pilot, received substantial damage when it impacted a utility pole and support wires after a hand start, at the Chillicothe Municipal Airport, near Chillicothe, Missouri. After the engine had started the aircraft began to move, without a pilot aboard, across the ramp until it impacted the utility pole and stopped. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The purposed personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight had no flight plan on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he had just purchased the aircraft near Chicago, Illinois, and was re-positioning the aircraft back near his residence. At a scheduled fuel stop, the pilot stated that he had asked for assistance, from the airport operator, in hand starting the aircraft. The pilot stated that the airport operator was busy at the time and that he decided to hand start the aircraft by himself. The pilot stated that he set the hand brake, checked the throttle position, and began to hand start the aircraft. The pilot stated that he could not get the engine to start after many attempts. The pilot adjusted the throttle, increasing it, and again attempted to hand start the engine. The pilot stated that engine started, ran rough for the first couple of rotations, and then the rpms began to increase rapidly. The aircraft began to pivot around the left main gear and the pilot was unable to access the cockpit to retard the throttle. The aircraft continued to turn to the left, departed the tarmac onto a grass area, until the right wing impacted a utility pole and guy wire. There was substantial damage to the right wing, right main gear, and propeller. Post accident investigation revealed that the pilot had not had flown in over six years and had not had Biennial Flight Review in over 72 months. It was also revealed that the hand brake only engages the left brake on the aircraft, which caused the aircraft to rotate about the left main gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71306](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71306), registered now, S/N 2733 (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: 2733 - Airframe hours: 2431 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carl E. Barbe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1997, 10 hours before - Destination: PVT, NOAHS ARK, MO - Airport: CHT, Chillicothe Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 1,078 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,040 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IRK, 47 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 19980701015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980701015539A), Jul 1, 1998: Luscom 8A, Chillicothe, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to hand prop when the left wheel locked up, acft spun around and struck a utility pole. (-23) prior to hand-propping acft, PIC set parking… 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.