Luscombe 8A N2071K

Summary

On 4 September 2021 at about 18:30 local time, a Luscombe 8A registered N2071K was involved in an accident near Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 September 2021 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Smith Fld (SMD)

Coordinates

40.9809, -85.1879

Aircraft

Luscombe 8A

Registration

N2071K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Franklin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA400

1 person had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power after takeoff due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground and the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immediately before takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and three other airplanes were conducting a cross-country flight. After refueling, the airplanes taxied to the runway run-up area, and the pilot completed his preflight checklist. Shortly after takeoff, about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine began operating rough, which included some surging, and then lost power. The pilot attempted to land on the opposite runway, which resulted in a landing with a 9- to 12-knot tailwind. Due to the tailwind, the airplane touched down near the end of the runway. Realizing the airplane would not stop before the end of the runway, the pilot turned the airplane to the right and exited the runway surface. The airplane entered a soybean field and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions reported at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the carburetor heat was off. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during taxi and run-up before the takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.