Luscombe 8E accident near Macedon, New York, May 24, 1996
On May 24, 1996 at about 11:50 pm local time, a Luscombe 8E, registered N2189B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Macedon, New York (Harvey Rousseau Farm airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a blocked gascolator, inadequate maintenance, and the pilot's decision to fly with a known fuel flow deficiency, which resulted in a loss of engine power, forced landing, and subsequent nose over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 1996 · about 11:50 pm local time
- Place
- Macedon, New York · Harvey Rousseau Farm · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8E · all 8Es on the register
- Registration
- N2189B · registry record · serial 6616
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot expressed concern to a mechanic of fuel blockage before an annual inspection a few days before the accident. No evidence of fuel blockage was found. The pilot attempted a takeoff from a wet, soft, turf runway, with the right fuel tank selected. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot landed on the remaining runway. A second takeoff was initiated with the left fuel tank selected; however, the engine lost power during the initial climb near the departure end of the runway. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel gascolator was partially blocked with dirt and sediment, which restricted the fuel flow.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,350 hours in all; 550 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 1,332 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 6G3 Palmyra NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,600 ft by 92 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from ROC, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.