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NTSB Report

January 26, 2003 · Luscombe 8F · N1484B

Newport, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Newport, ME
Aircraft
Luscombe 8F
Tail Number
N1484B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA044

While descending to land the engine lost total power. The cabin of the airplane began to fill with smoke, and the pilot performed a forced landing to the airport. During the descent, the airplane struck trees and impacted a snow bank. Examination of the airplane revealed a hole along the outer wall of the number one cylinder barrel. The number one cylinder was forwarded to the Safety Board Materials Lab for examination. The lab noted that the fracture was in the cylinder barrel between the 3rd and 6th cooling fins from the mounting flange. Major portions of the fracture contained fatigue features that initiated from the radius between the 3rd and 4th fins approximately in line with the exhaust valve. There was no evidence of defects at the origin area of the fatigue cracking. The cylinder had accumulated about 530 hours of total operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of a the cylinder wall.

Full Narrative

On January 26, 2003, at 1310 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8F, N1484B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Newport Sky Park (ME68), Newport, Maine, after experiencing a total loss of power in cruise flight. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the flight had departed from the Wiscasset Airport, Wiscasset Maine, about 1100, destined for ME68. Upon arriving near the ME68 airport, at 2,000 feet, the engine lost total power. The cabin of the airplane began to fill with smoke, and the pilot performed a forced landing to the airport. During the descent, the airplane struck trees and impacted a snow bank, before coming to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector after the accident revealed substantial damage to the left and right wings, and the empennage section. The inspector also noted a hole along the outer wall of the number one cylinder barrel. The number one cylinder was forwarded to the Safety Board Materials Lab for examination. The lab noted that the fracture was in the cylinder barrel between the 3rd and 6th cooling fins from the mounting flange. Major portions of the fracture contained fatigue features that initiated from the radius between the 3rd and 4th fins approximately in line with the exhaust valve. There was no evidence of defects at the origin area of the fatigue cracking. The overhauled engine was installed in the airplane in 1995. During the overhaul, 4 new cylinders and valve assemblies were installed on the engine. The most recent annual inspection of the engine was conducted on March 15, 2002. The number one cylinder had accumulated about 530 hours of total operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 EST
Nearest AirportNewport Sky Park (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8F
Tail NumberN1484B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C.90-12 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data