# NTSB ERA22LA345: Luscombe 8A, N1358K, Ephratah, NY, July 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 30, 2022, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Ephratah, NY - Coordinates: 42.984394, -74.519433 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9844&lon=-74.5194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105626 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA345 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105626/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105626 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA345 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot took off from the turf runway and was planning on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During the initial climb, about 50 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power and the propeller continued to windmill. The airplane’s low altitude prevented the pilot from troubleshooting except for switching fuel tanks and the application of carburetor heat, which both failed to restart the engine. The airplane touched down hard at the end of the runway, collapsing the gear and causing impact damage to the right wing and engine compartment. Weather at the time of the accident was conducive for the formation of carburetor ice at the glide power setting, but not at a high takeoff power setting. Additionally, the examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal engine operation. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2022, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N1358K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Hiserts Airpark, Inc. (3NY7), Ephratah, New York. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, he took off from runway 27, a 2,200 ft-long turf runway and was planning on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During initial climb, about 50 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power and the propeller continued to windmill. His attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful and due to the low altitude, the pilot only had time to switch fuel tanks and apply carburetor heat, which did not restart the engine. The airplane touched down hard at the end of the runway before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage confirmed it sustained substantial damage. The right wingtip was crushed, both landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage and engine compartment were impact damaged, which also destroyed the gascolator. There was adequate fuel on board and the fuel vents were free of obstructions. No mechanical engine anomalies were discovered during the examination. The original Continental engine (A-65-8) was replaced with an updated C85 model and installed on the airplane in 2015; it had been overhauled about 7 flight hours before the accident. Weather at the time of the accident was conducive for the formation of carburetor ice at the glide power setting, but not at a takeoff power setting. There were no preimpact mechanical anomalies observed that would have contributed to a loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1358K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1358K), registered now, S/N 4085 (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: 4085 - Airframe hours: 1335 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ullman Holdings LLC - Registered owner: Ullman Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2022 - Airport: 3NY7, Hiserts Airpark Inc, runway 27, 2,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,903 total, 375 in this make and model, 3,509 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: NY0, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KNY0 301618Z AUTO 32011G18KT 10SM SCT041 SCT046 OVC070 22/13 A3008 RMK AO2= ## 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 20220730013729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220730013729A), Jul 30, 2022: Luscombe 8A, Fort Plain, NY, Substantial damage. On Saturday 07/30/2022 pilot of [privacy data omitted] reported that the aircraft loss power on takeoff climb. The pilot reports switching fuel tanks which did… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105626. 50.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 43.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435122&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Accident%20Report_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17508070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA345_Memorandum%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf - Memo for record_pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record_Pilot-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine logs excerpt (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14451067&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Logs%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA carburetor icing probability chart (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435132&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carb%20Icing%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and damage (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 899 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17321409&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N1358K-Rel.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.