# NTSB FTW01LA027: Luscombe 8A, N45537, Antlers, OK, November 25, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 2000, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Antlers, OK - Coordinates: 34.229858, -95.609657 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2299&lon=-95.6097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51158/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA027 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power resulting from carburetor icing conditions. ## Analysis The single-engine airplane struck trees and terrain following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb. With full throttle and carburetor heat applied, the airplane was airborne. Once airborne, the engine was not developing full power and there 'seemed to be a gradual reduction of power' regardless of carburetor heat position. The pilot reported the day of the accident was 'probably the first time the airplane's aging carburetor heat mechanism had been put to the test with low temperature and narrow temperature-dew point spread in over a decade.' The pilot reported a temperature and dew point of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. The nearest weather reporting station, 40 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported a temperature and dew point of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 36 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Both temperature and dew point reports were in the range of conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise or climb power. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 2000, at 1300 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A, single-engine airplane, N45537, struck trees following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb at Antlers, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the airplane was "easily started and taxied to runway 35 for takeoff. No unusual noises or taxiing characteristics were noted." The pilot applied full throttle and carburetor heat. The airplane developed full power during the takeoff roll; however, once the airplane was airborne, the engine was not developing full power. The pilot "turned off the carburetor heat." There "seemed to be a gradual reduction of power" regardless of carburetor heat position. The airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway, nosed down toward the ground, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that since the airplane had been flying "well," he "suspected carburetor ice." The pilot reported that the day of the accident was "probably the first time the airplane's aging carburetor heat mechanism had been put to the test with low temperature and narrow temperature-dew point spread in over a decade." The pilot reported a temperature and dew point of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. The nearest weather reporting station (40 nautical miles northwest of the accident site) was McAlester, Oklahoma. At 1353, McAlester reported a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Both temperature and dew point reports were in the range of conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise or climb power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45537](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45537-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 2064, built 1946 (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: 2064 - Airframe hours: 2043 - Engines: Continental A65-1 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edwin F. Ellis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2000, 48 hours before - Departed: 80F - Airport: 80F, Antlers Municipal Airport, runway 35, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,427 total, 48 in this make and model, 5,361 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MLC, 40 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 20001125038849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001125038849A), Nov 25, 2000: Luscom 8A, Antlers, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) On Saturday, November 25, 2000, at approximately 1:00 pm, Luscombe 8A aircraft, N45537, was departing Antlers Municipal Airport in Antlers, OK. For a… ## Other investigations on N45537 (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN90LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA162), Jul 12, 1990: Luscombe 8A (N45537), Logan, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT. 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.