Luscombe 8A accident near Churchville, Maryland, May 29, 2015
On May 29, 2015 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1948 Luscombe 8A, registered N2009B, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Churchville, Maryland (Harford County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper reduction of the fuel mixture while the airplane was descending on the final leg of the traffic pattern, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2015 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Churchville, Maryland · Harford County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A, built 1948 · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N2009B · no longer on the register · serial 6436
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the commercial pilot, while the airplane was descending on the final leg of the traffic pattern after the personal flight, he reduced the fuel mixture, and the engine then lost total power. The pilot was unable to regain engine power, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequently impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The Engine Operator's Manual stated that the mixture must be in the "full rich" position during the descent. It is likely that the pilot's reduction of the fuel mixture during the descent resulted in the loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, sport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 8,793 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,351 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors Inc A-65-8 (piston); 798 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0W3 Churchville MD
- Destination: 0W3 Churchville MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 18,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from KAPG, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on January 8, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for Record - No Pilot/operator Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Operator's Manual Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.