Luscombe 8 N1406K accident near Pontiac, Michigan

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while landing with a left quartering tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to conduct a go-around because of a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that, after conducting a personal flight and while landing, the airplane started to "weathervane" into the wind; a 6-knot quartering tailwind existed at the time of the accident. The pilot noted that the wind favored the other runway but that it was shut due to an airshow. The pilot applied full right rudder and right brake but was unable to regain control of the airplane. The pilot added power to conduct a go-around, but the engine did not respond. The airplane skidded off the runway, struck a runway light, and then came to rest on its nose.

Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no anomalies. During examination of the fuel system, yellow-tinted fuel was found inside of the carburetor. Fuel was found in both fuel tanks. The left wing fuel tank contained brown water stains and evidence of corrosion. The fuel sending unit was tarnished, and the fuel tank contained contaminants of unknown origin. The analysis of the chemical composition of the fuel sample was consistent with aviation gasoline. Water content analysis revealed a water concentration in the fuel sample of 102 (plus or minus 20) ug/g. It could not be determined what role the contaminants and water played in the engine's failure to attain full power during the go-around attempt. However, weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. Thus, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the landing because the engine would have been at idle power, which caused the engine to lose power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA381 for the full record.