Accident Luscombe 8E N1778K, Saturday 15 February 1992

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Date:	Saturday 15 February 1992
Time:	16:30 LT
Type:	Luscombe 8E
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N1778K
MSN:	4505
Total airframe hrs:	2052 hours
Engine model:	Continental C-85-12
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Farrar, MO - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Perryville, MO (K02)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT OBTAINED FUEL FROM A LOCAL FARMER, REFUELED THE AIRPLANE AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN WITH A TAILWIND, THE AIRPLANE BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF WHEN THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL.

Probable Cause: PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND POOR PLANNING BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND MISJUDGED COMPENSATION FOR IT ALONG WITH THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN.

Accident investigation: