Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8C near Mount Carmel, IL — 2009-07-25

Final reportCEN09LA466
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Date
2009-07-25
Location
Mount Carmel, IL, USA
Airport
5LLO
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8C
Registration
N37080
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The reason for this accident was not determined.

NTSB narrative

The flight last departed from Henderson, Kentucky en route to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot landed in Henderson to wait for the weather to improve. The pilot then departed but later returned due to rain showers and convective activity. Witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude when the engine began to "sputter" and then increase in engine sound prior to impacting a field in a nose-down, left-wing-down attitude. Postaccident examination of the carburetor revealed evidence of fuel contamination and that it had not undergone recent routine maintenance and inspection. No other mechanical anomalies were noted. Since the pilot's most recent application for airman medical certificate he had begun taking escitalopram, a prescription antidepressant, for symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. The medication would be unlikely to result in impairment, but it cannot be determined if the symptoms for which it was being taken may have been related to the accident. Signatures from the wreckage confirmed that the engine was operating at impact. The investigation was unable to determine the reason for the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to delay departure due to weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents27

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