Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8 near Chipley, FL — 2009-06-19

Final reportERA09LA357
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Date
2009-06-19
Location
Chipley, FL, USA
Airport
2FL0
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8
Registration
N41915
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of power due to the use of automotive gasoline that contained ethanol, which was prohibited by the operating limitations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to obtain and comply with the applicable operating limitations.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to obtain and comply with the applicable operating limitations.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot/owner's airplane had not been operated for several months. On the day of the accident, he planned to fly the airplane in the traffic pattern at the airport where he based it. After the first takeoff, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed an engine rpm decrease, and he responded by checking the engine controls. After the control check, the pilot re-checked the tachometer, and noticed that the rpm continued to decrease. He was unable to maintain altitude, and set up for a forced landing in a clearing. The airplane struck vegetation prior to the clearing, and came to rest inverted. The airplane was approved to use automotive gasoline. The associated operating limitations prohibited the use of automotive gasoline that contained ethanol, due to its adverse effects on engine components and operation. The pilot was unaware of, and did not obtain, the automotive gasoline operating limitations, and he regularly fueled the airplane with automotive gasoline that contained ethanol.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted not to fly after concerns about engine and fuel condition.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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