Accident Details
On July 18, 2014, at approximately 1816 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, registration N77942, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight, leading to a forced landing near Rancho Cucamonga, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, with the aft fuselage buckled, forward fuselage and firewall crushed, and the left wing separated at the wing root. The certified private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, and no flight plan was filed.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported observing the airplane in cruise flight heading eastward when the engine stopped. The aircraft appeared to be attempting to land but impacted terrain short of an open field.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, after departing from Cable Airport (CCB) in Upland, California, around 1800, the engine quit shortly after takeoff during a standard departure to the east. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. He then executed a forced landing, initially turning southwest and then north to avoid power lines. He positioned the propeller assembly horizontally to prevent a propeller strike upon landing.
Examination Findings
An onsite examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The battery had been removed, and fuel continued to drain from the wings. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additional details and photographs are available in the public docket for the accident case.
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Temperature and dew point data indicated a relative humidity of approximately 40 percent. When plotted on a carburetor ice chart, these values fell in the region labeled "Serious Icing at Glide Power."