# NTSB ERA10CA467: Luscombe 8A, N2156K, Churchville, MD, September 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Churchville, MD - Coordinates: 39.566665, -76.202224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5667&lon=-76.2022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA467 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77198/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA467 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valve was in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, resulting in the loss of engine power during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, at which time he closed the carburetor heat and the engine lost power. The airplane’s landing gear then contacted top of a security fence beyond the end of the runway and the airplane bounced into a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. The pilot further stated that before he exited the airplane, he checked the fuel valve and found that it was not locked in the full forward position; rather, it was midway between the "ON" and "OFF" positions. The pilot said that in retrospect, he was not positive that he had placed the fuel valve in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, and that this was the reason for the engine losing power on takeoff. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the take-off was normal until he was about 50 feet in the air, at which time the engine lost power after he closed the carburetor heat. The airplane’s landing gear then contacted top of a security fence beyond the end of the runway and bounced into a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. The pilot further stated that before he exited the airplane, he checked the fuel valve and found that it was not locked in the full forward position but was midway between the ON and OFF positions. The pilot said that in retrospect, he was not positive that he had placed the fuel valve in the full forward position during his pre-flight inspection, and that this was the reason for the engine losing power on take-off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2156K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2156K-2018-08-24), registration cancelled 2018-08-24, S/N 4883, built 1947 (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: 4883 - Airframe hours: 1640 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James C. Walker - Registered owner: James C. Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: OW3, Churchville, MD - Destination: OW3, Churchville, MD - Airport: OW3, Harford County Airport, runway 19, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 7,947 total, 40 in this make and model, 7,350 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.18 inHg - Observed at: MTN, 17 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 20100901046169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100901046169A), Sep 1, 2010: Luscombe 8A, Churchville, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft was taking off from 0W3. According to eye witnesses the pilot did a intersection take off from runway 19. The pilot took off from the intersection… 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.