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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 31, 2001 · Luscombe LL-8-E · N1243K

Bellaire, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 31, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bellaire, MI
Aircraft
Luscombe LL-8-E
Tail Number
N1243K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA017

The floatplane nosed over during landing on grass. The pilot reported he landed the airplane with a slight nose high attitude, using a small amount of power to skid the floats onto the grass at 50 mph. He reported that, "After a measured run out distance of 43' the floats settled thru the grass into the soft sand. At 54' run out distance, [the] floats dug into sand and caused airplane to flip over, upside down." The pilot reported he had been landing floatplanes on grass for 20 years.

NTSB Probable Cause

the unsuitable terrain for landing selected by the pilot. A factor was the soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 31, 2001, at 1050 eastern standard time, a Luscombe LL-8-E floatplane, N1243K, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing on the grass which paralleled taxiway A at the Antrim County Airport (ACB), Bellaire, Michigan. The airline transport pilot, who had single and multiengine seaplane ratings, was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Lake Ellsworth, Ellsworth, Michigan, at 1040 and was making a full stop landing on the grass at ACB. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he landed the airplane with a slight nose high attitude, using a small amount of power to skid the floats onto the grass at 50 mph. He reported that, "After a measured run out distance of 43' the floats settled thru the grass into the soft sand. At 54' run out distance, [the] floats dug into sand and caused airplane to flip over, upside down." The pilot reported he had been landing floatplanes on grass for 20 years.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 EST
Nearest AirportAntrim County (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe LL-8-E
Tail NumberN1243K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A41 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 45 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time15:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data