# NTSB IAD97LA119: Luscombe LL-8-F, N1871K, Carrollton, OH, September 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 1997, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Carrollton, OH - Coordinates: 40.569355, -81.090026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5694&lon=-81.0900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28232 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28232/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was 25 minutes into a 35 minute flight when the engine sputtered. His attempts to restart were unsuccessful, and a forced landing was performed to a small, rough field. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of fuel. The pilot reported that he had refueled the airplane prior to takeoff, but was unable to provide the receipts. He voluntarily surrendered his commercial pilot's certificate and voluntarily downgrade to a private certificate in lieu of a check ride. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 1997, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe LL-8-F, N1871K, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing precipitated by a loss of engine power near Carrollton, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that 25 minutes into a 35 minute flight, the engine sputtered twice, then it lost power. His attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. A forced landing was performed to a small, rough field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a fence and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, he had topped off the fuel tanks for the flight. He estimated his fuel consumption was 4 gallons, and he had approximately 25 gallons of fuel on board. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the airplane was moved to a hangar in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where it was examined. The examination revealed that the fuel tanks were empty. According to the Inspector, the pilot was asked to produce any evidence of refueling the airplane. He was unable to do so. He voluntarily surrendered his commercial pilot's certificate, and voluntarily downgraded it to a private pilot certificate in lieu of submitting to a re-examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1871K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1871K-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 4598, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe LL-8-F - Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4598 - Airframe hours: 2252 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Russell Clair Patterson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: 2G7, NEW CASTLE, PA - Destination: TSO, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,038 total, 2,083 in this make and model, 3,038 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F ## 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 19970905044079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970905044079A), Sep 5, 1997: Luscom 8F, Carrollton, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power. Nosed over landing in a field. Fuel exhaustion possibility. (.4)the pilot reported that he was 25 minutes into a 35 minute flight when the engine… 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.