Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper use of the throttle. Factors were a crosswind and soft terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
In his statement, the pilot indicated that the fourth touch & go landing 'Took awhile to get the plane on its mains because of the gusty conditions.' He said that when the power was advanced 'the engine sputtered. Pushed in carburetor heat. Still sputtered. Pumped throttle, still sputtered.' He next 'Put the tail down, and started breaking.' During the aborted takeoff roll the aircraft 'Ran off the end of 13 into a freshly plowed [soft] sandy field. The main wheels dug in and the plane went on to its back.' The airplane came to rest approximately 420 feet past the end of runway 13 inverted. Subsequently the pilot said, 'I believe I pushed power in to fast and flooded engine. Pumping throttle made it worse.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 15, 1997, at 1750 central daylight time a Luscombe 8E, N26SH, sustained substantial damage during an overrun on landing on runway 13 (3,300' x 60' dry/asphalt) at Wautoma Municipal Airport, near Wautoma, Wisconsin. The private pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Ripon, Wisconsin, at 1730. In a written statement, the pilot wrote that he left a private strip near Ripon, Wisconsin at 1730 central daylight time, to preform in touch and go's at Wautoma Municipal Airport. Upon arrival, he flew over the airport and entered the pattern for runway 13. The pilot reported that, "I flew a normal pattern and set the plane on its main wheels almost at the center point of 13." He said it, "Took awhile to get the plane on its mains because of the gusty conditions." He said, when the power was advanced, "the engine sputtered. Pushed in carburetor heat. Still sputtered. Pumped throttle, still sputtered." The pilot reported that he next, "Put the tail down, and started breaking." During the aborted takeoff roll the aircraft, "Ran off the end of 13 into a freshly plowed [soft] sandy field. The main wheels dug in and the plane went on to its back." The airplane came to rest approximately 420 feet past the end of runway 13 inverted. Subsequently the pilot said, "I believe I pushed power in to fast and flooded engine. Pumping throttle made it worse." -