# NTSB FTW97LA062: Luscombe 8E, N77974, Ardmore, OK, December 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 11, 1996, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Ardmore, OK - Coordinates: 34.189655, -97.1109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1897&lon=-97.1109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20127/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA062 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Overrun, landing - roll - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway overrun area - ditch - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power while on initial takeoff climb from runway 17, and he elected to return to the runway. The airplane touched down long and overran the end of the runway impacting a drainage ditch. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be conclusively determined. Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were unsuccessful. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 1996, at 1745 central standard time, a Luscombe 8E airplane, N77974, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The airplane, owned and operated by a private individual, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated approximately one hour prior to the accident. The pilot reported to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer that he had been performing touch and go landings at the Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport. He further reported that the engine lost power while on initial takeoff climb from runway 17, and he elected to return to the runway. He added that the airplane touched down long and overran the end of the runway impacting a drainage ditch. The airport manager stated that "the pilot acquired the airplane a couple of weeks earlier and had been flying the airplane almost on a daily basis." He added that the airplane's 85 horsepower engine had been replaced with a 150 horsepower Lycoming engine "which drastically improved the climb performance of the airplane." The fuel system on the 1947 vintage airplane had also been modified by the addition of new fuel cells. Another witness at the airport reported observing "black smoke coming out of the exhaust stack as if the engine was running very rich." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that both main landing gear separated from the airframe. The engine firewall and the bottom of the fuselage sustained structural damage. The FAA inspector confirmed that the engine and fuel system of the airplane had been modified by an approved STC. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be conclusively determined. Repeated attempts to obtain a completed "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report" (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot/owner of the airplane were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77974](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77974), registered now, S/N 3701, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3701 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephan D. Higgs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IF0 - Airport: 1FO, Downtown Executive, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADM, 1 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 19961211041639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961211041639A), Dec 11, 1996: Luscom 8E, Ardmore, OK, Substantial damage. On December 11, 1996, at 1745 central standard time, a Luscombe 8E airplane, N77974, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Ardmore, Oklahoma.… 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.