# NTSB ERA15LA228: Luscombe 8A, N2009B, Churchville, MD, May 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2015, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Churchville, MD - Coordinates: 39.562778, -76.205001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5628&lon=-76.2050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 17, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA228 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper reduction of the fuel mixture while the airplane was descending on the final leg of the traffic pattern, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); 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) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the commercial pilot, while the airplane was descending on the final leg of the traffic pattern after the personal flight, he reduced the fuel mixture, and the engine then lost total power. The pilot was unable to regain engine power, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequently impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The Engine Operator's Manual stated that the mixture must be in the "full rich" position during the descent. It is likely that the pilot's reduction of the fuel mixture during the descent resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2015, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N2009B, impacted terrain prior to the runway at Harford County Airport (0W3), Churchville, Maryland. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, and fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to two witnesses, the airplane flew over the south side of the airport and "sounded like" it lost engine power. The airplane was observed descending on a right downwind leg for runway 19 and continued to descend while on the right base leg of the traffic pattern. The witness then lost sight of the airplane. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that while descending on approach to runway 19, he decreased the engine power and turned onto the final leg of the traffic pattern. He reduced the mixture, the airplane lost total engine power, the pilot could not regain engine power, and the airplane "entered a stall" prior to impacting the ground. During the accident sequence, the airplane impacted terrain prior to runway 19, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation. Despite multiple attempts, a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) was not received for this accident. According to the engine operator's manual, "the mixture control must be in 'FULL RICH' during descent." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2009B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2009B-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 6436, built 1948 (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: 6436 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Destination: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Airport: 0W3, Harford County, runway 19, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; sport pilot, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 8,793 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KAPG, 6 nm away ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91270. 1.5 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record - No Pilot/Operator Report (item 1, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Report-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Engine Operator's Manual Excerpt (item 5, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Operator%27s%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.