# NTSB NYC85LA209: Luscombe 8E, N2661K, Carthage, NY, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1985, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Carthage, NY
- Coordinates: 43.979015, -75.599517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9790&lon=-75.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA209

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT,WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH; HOWEVER IT DID NOT QUIT. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE TURNING ONTO FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY. THE ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE HIGH VEGETATION ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH IT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CONTACTED THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2661K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2661K), registered now, S/N 5388 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5388
- Airframe hours: 1773
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Connaghan, Hugh J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ART, WATERTOWN, NY
- Airport: Carthage, runway 27, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,453 total, 278 in this make and model, 1,326 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ART, 25 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 19850813038459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850813038459A), Aug 13, 1985: Luscom 8E, Carthage, NY, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough, quit on final. Hit brush,then ground in nose low attitude. Too badly damaged to determine cause.

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.

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