# NTSB NYC96LA115: Luscombe 8E, N2189B, Macedon, NY, May 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1996, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Macedon, NY - Coordinates: 43.059753, -77.300209 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0598&lon=-77.3002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA115 ## Probable cause a blocked gascolator, inadequate maintenance, and the pilot's decision to fly with a known fuel flow deficiency, which resulted in a loss of engine power, forced landing, and subsequent nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,gascolator - blocked(partial) (cause) - maintenance - inadequate (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot expressed concern to a mechanic of fuel blockage before an annual inspection a few days before the accident. No evidence of fuel blockage was found. The pilot attempted a takeoff from a wet, soft, turf runway, with the right fuel tank selected. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot landed on the remaining runway. A second takeoff was initiated with the left fuel tank selected; however, the engine lost power during the initial climb near the departure end of the runway. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel gascolator was partially blocked with dirt and sediment, which restricted the fuel flow. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1996, about 1950 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe SL-8, N2189B, an airplane, sustained substantial damage when it made a forced landing after takeoff in Macedon, New York. The private pilot, sole occupant, incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Macedon, about 1950, destined for Palmyra, New York. The pilot reported that the airplane had an annual inspection on May 20, 1996. Prior to the annual inspection, the pilot expressed concern to the mechanic of a possible fuel blockage. The mechanic informed the pilot that he was unable to detect a fuel blockage throughout the fuel system. According to the pilot, the day of the accident, he taxied with the right fuel tank selected with no problems. The pilot then departed with the right fuel tank selected. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost power, and the pilot landed on the remaining turf runway, which was wet and soft. He then elected to attempt a takeoff with the left fuel tank selected; he intended to return to the maintenance facility in Palmyra. During the second attempted takeoff, the engine lost power again, during the initial takeoff climb, near the departure end of the runway. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the fuel gascolator was blocked with sediment. The FAA Inspector's statement stated, ". . .checked the left and right fuel selector valves, checked fuel flow through both gas lines to the Tillotson fuel strainer (gascolator), and checked the sediment bulb for obstructions. There were no irregularities found until [the Inspector] disconnected the gascolator bracket and discovered an accumulation of dirt and sediment. This obstruction was sufficient to restrict the fuel flow to a very slow drip." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2189B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2189B), registered now, S/N 6616 (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: 6616 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harvey C. Rousseau - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1996 - Destination: 6G3, PALMYRA, NY - Airport: NONE, Harvey Rousseau Farm ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,332 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 15 nm away 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.