# NTSB LAX98LA151: Luscombe 8E, N2435K, Auburn, CA, May 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Auburn, CA - Coordinates: 39.000942, -121.089424 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0009&lon=-121.0894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30081 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30081/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat and the rough/uneven (furrowed) terrain. A contributing factor was carburetor icing conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been flying approximately 500 to 800 feet below a cloud layer that he estimated to be broken at 4,000 agl. He noted a loss of engine power and rpm's, and applied carburetor heat. Engine power and rpm cleared up, but then ran rough again with the pilot making a precautionary landing in an open field. After touchdown, the pilot encountered poor braking action due to the wet grass. The aircraft came to rest inverted after colliding with a furrow which crossed the field. A weather reporting system located approximately 20 nm from the accident site reported a temperature of 64 degrees and a dew point of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the carburetor ice probability chart, the potential existed for moderate icing during cruise at those temperatures. The cloud layer was reported as broken with the lowest layer at 7,000 feet. The estimated freezing level in the accident area was approximately 8,500 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N2435K, made a precautionary landing due to a rough running engine and came to rest inverted after striking a furrow in a wet grass field near Auburn, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal local flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that while making a solo flight the engine "got rough." He turned on carburetor heat and the engine "cleared up then got rough again." The pilot stated that he knew of a grass field approximately 1 mile from his present position and decided to make a precautionary landing there. The pilot reported that on the landing roll, the wheels would not grab and slipped on the wet grass. He further stated that the field had been plowed and a furrow ran across the field. He stated that the aircraft struck the furrow and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported the ceiling as broken at 4,000 agl. Weather conditions reported at Beale Air Force Base, approximately 20 nmi northwest of Auburn were: 10 miles visibility; scattered clouds at 7,000, 10,000 and 25,000 broken; temperature 64 degrees; and dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the carburetor ice probability chart, during cruise power there was a potential for moderate icing (see attachment). The Safety Board's meteorologist estimated that the freezing level in the Auburn area was approximately 8,500 feet mean sea level. In an interview with an airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot reported that he was flying approximately 500 to 800 feet below the clouds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2435K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2435K-2017-10-25), registration cancelled 2017-10-25, S/N 5162, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8E - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190128) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5162 - Airframe hours: 1010 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald O. Nelson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1997, 15 hours before - Departed: AUN, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 801 total, 520 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BAB, 20 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 19980502008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980502008259A), May 2, 1998: Luscom 8E, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Acft experienced a rough running engine, made emergency lanidng in a field. Flipped over, Auburn, CA.(-23) the pilot experienced a rough running engine. He… ## Other investigations on N2435K (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 WPR12LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA264), May 29, 2012: Luscombe 8 (N2435K), Twentynine Palms, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 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.