Luscombe 8 accident near Chipley, Florida, June 19, 2009
On June 19, 2009 at about 11:41 pm local time, a Luscombe 8, registered N41915, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Chipley, Florida (Crystal Village Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of power due to the use of automotive gasoline that contained ethanol, which was prohibited by the operating limitations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to obtain and comply with the applicable operating limitations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2009 · about 11:41 pm local time
- Place
- Chipley, Florida · Crystal Village Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8 A · all 8s on the register
- Registration
- N41915 · no longer on the register · serial 1876
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot/owner's airplane had not been operated for several months. On the day of the accident, he planned to fly the airplane in the traffic pattern at the airport where he based it. After the first takeoff, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed an engine rpm decrease, and he responded by checking the engine controls. After the control check, the pilot re-checked the tachometer, and noticed that the rpm continued to decrease. He was unable to maintain altitude, and set up for a forced landing in a clearing. The airplane struck vegetation prior to the clearing, and came to rest inverted. The airplane was approved to use automotive gasoline. The associated operating limitations prohibited the use of automotive gasoline that contained ethanol, due to its adverse effects on engine components and operation. The pilot was unaware of, and did not obtain, the automotive gasoline operating limitations, and he regularly fueled the airplane with automotive gasoline that contained ethanol.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight
- Fuel contamination during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid type
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Scheduled maint checks › Not inspected
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Scheduled maint checks › Related operating info
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Scheduled maint checks › Related records
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Placards and markings › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Knowledge of equipment › Student pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 240 hours in all; 35 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,441 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 2, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2FL0 Chipley FL
- Destination: 2FL0 Chipley FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from PFN, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.