# NTSB SEA94LA099: Luscombe 8E, N2728K, Coalville, UT, April 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1994, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Coalville, UT - Coordinates: 40.880977, -111.3096 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8810&lon=-111.3096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41909/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA099 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD. FACTORS INCLUDE THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE EN ROUTE ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE CONNECTING ROD TO THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER FAILED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE INTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT TO A DIRT STRIP FOR A FORCED LANDING. HE LANDED SHORT, AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1994, approximately 1505 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N2728K, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a partial power loss, near Coalville, Utah. The flight instructor and his student were uninjured in the accident. The flight had originated at Heber, Utah, en route to Evanston, Wyoming, and was on a VFR flight plan. The pilot disconnected the ELT after the landing. The flight instructor stated that while in cruise the engine started running rough, and experienced a progressive loss of most of its power. He attempted a landing on a road near a cemetary, but the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft ground looped. The flight instructor stated that he was flying from the right front seat, and that the student aboard was a passenger. The student stated that he was receiving dual instruction, and had filed a flight plan in his name with Cedar City FSS, from Heber to Evanston. During an engine teardown and inspection, it was determined that the number 3 cylinder connecting rod failed, resulting in the loss of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2728K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2728K-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 5455, built 1947 (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: 5455 - Airframe hours: 2625 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas O. Lawler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1994, 25 hours before - Departed: 36U, HEBER, UT - Destination: EVANSTON, WY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,400 total, 130 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 35 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 19940413000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940413000739A), Apr 13, 1994: Luscom 8E, Coalville, UT, Substantial damage. Rough engine and power loss. Gear collapsed landing on a road. Ground looped. NR3 cylinder connecting rod broke. ## Other investigations on N2728K (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 UNK65X0143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0143), Oct 4, 1964: Luscombe 8E (N2728K), Selah, WA, substantial damage 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.