# NTSB WPR17LA122: Luscombe 8A, N1627K, Rexberg, ID, June 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 3, 2017, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Rexberg, ID - Coordinates: 43.840278, -111.804168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8403&lon=-111.8042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA122 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information which resulted in a landing short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a local flight when, on final approach for landing, he applied throttle with no response from the engine. The airplane landed in a field short of the runway, colliding with bushes and a fence before coming to rest in a river. After removal from the river, the airplane was subsequently flipped over by gusty winds and remained inverted for 5 days before the postaccident examination, which revealed no fuel in the wing tanks or gascolator. The amount of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident and whether fuel drained from the airplane during the time it was inverted could not be determined. No other anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2017, about 1030 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8E airplane, N1627K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rexburg, Idaho. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed with 9 gallons of fuel in the right-wing tank and 8 gallons in the left- wing tank. After flying for about an hour, he returned to Rexburg-Madison County Airport (RXE), Rexburg, Idaho, and entered the traffic pattern for runway 17. While on final approach, the pilot "felt a little low" and applied throttle with no response from the engine. He actuated the fuel primer twice; however, there was no increase in engine power. The pilot landed short of the runway and the airplane collided with bushes and a fence before coming to rest in the South Teton River. The airplane was removed from the river by a local landowner. Shortly after the recovery, the airplane was flipped over by wind gusts. The wreckage remained inverted for 5 days before a post-accident examination, which revealed substantial damage to the aft fuselage and wings. No fuel was detected in the wing tanks and gascolator. No other preimpact anomalies were noted during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1627K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1627K-2019-06-18), registration cancelled 2019-06-18, S/N 4354, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A (A) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4354 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1519 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Melendez Robert - Registered owner: Melendez Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2017 - Departed: RXE, Rexberg, ID - Destination: RXE, Rexberg, ID - Airport: RXE, Rexburg-Madison County, runway 35, 4,204 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 12, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 686 total, 270 in this make and model, 656 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KRXE ## 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 20170603007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170603007659A), Jun 3, 2017: Luscombe 8E, Rexburg, ID, Substantial damage. After about a one hour flight and turning base to final approach for landing, the pilot thought he was a little low and tried to add power. There was no engine… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95327. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 688 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10106954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA examination notes-email (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10105625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Email%20FAA%20Exam%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array-accident site and wreckage (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10105743&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.