Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8A near Churchville, MD — 2010-09-01

Final reportERA10CA467
Sign in to save
Date
2010-09-01
Location
Churchville, MD, USA
Airport
OW3
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8A
Registration
N2156K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valve was in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, resulting in the loss of engine power during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, at which time he closed the carburetor heat and the engine lost power. The airplane’s landing gear then contacted top of a security fence beyond the end of the runway and the airplane bounced into a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. The pilot further stated that before he exited the airplane, he checked the fuel valve and found that it was not locked in the full forward position; rather, it was midway between the "ON" and "OFF" positions. The pilot said that in retrospect, he was not positive that he had placed the fuel valve in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, and that this was the reason for the engine losing power on takeoff.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps