Casualties unknown

2001-10-31: Luscombe LL-8-E (N1243K) — Bellaire, MI

Bellaire, MI, US

On October 31, 2001, a Luscombe LL-8-E (registration N1243K) was involved in an aviation accident near Bellaire, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the unsuitable terrain for landing selected by the pilot. A factor was the soft terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A floatplane nosed over during a grass landing after the floats dug into soft sand, causing the aircraft to flip upside down. The pilot reported a slight nose-high attitude and use of power during the landing.

Incident Overview

A floatplane nosed over during a landing on grass, resulting in the aircraft coming to rest inverted. The pilot, who reported having 20 years of experience landing floatplanes on grass, provided a description of the events leading to the accident.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot's account, the landing was executed with a slight nose-high attitude while applying a small amount of power to skid the floats onto the grass at a speed of 50 mph. The floats initially made contact with the grassy surface and began to settle through the grass into soft sand after a run-out distance of 43 feet. At a distance of 54 feet from initial touchdown, the floats dug into the sand, causing the airplane to flip over and come to rest upside down.

Pilot Experience

The pilot noted that he had been landing floatplanes on grass for 20 years prior to the incident. No further details on the pilot's qualifications or the specific circumstances of the landing were provided.

Damage

As a result of the nose-over, the aircraft sustained damage. The extent of damage was not specified in the available information.

Notes

This report is based solely on the pilot's statement. No information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, date, time of day, weather conditions, or ATC involvement was included in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20011107X02204. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.