Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8A near Schaumburg, IL — 2010-11-01

Final reportCEN11LA049
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Date
2010-11-01
Location
Schaumburg, IL, USA
Airport
06C
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8A
Registration
N71823
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to the unlocked engine primer.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to the unlocked engine primer.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported seeing the airplane takeoff and climb to about 150 feet above the ground. At that point, the sound from the engine ceased, and the airplane stalled and spun to the left making one-half revolution before striking the ground. Examination of the airframe, control system, and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the cockpit engine controls showed that the carburetor heat was off and the engine primer was unlocked and pulled out. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing, they were not in the range likely to result in serious carburetor icing. Examination of the spark plugs indicated a rich mixture condition. The primer position and the condition of the spark plugs indicate that the engine power loss was likely due to an overly rich mixture resulting from excess fuel being pulled through the primer into the engine’s intake system when takeoff power was applied. Since the purpose of the primer is to assist in starting a cold engine, it is possible the pilot used the primer when starting the engine and did not ensure that it was in and locked before initiating take off.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine sound ceased.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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