# Accident 20010531009999A: Luscom 8F, Salem, OR, May 31, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 31, 2001, 16:44 local time
- Place: Salem, OR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9006° N, 123.0598° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9006&lon=-123.0598&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1389B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1389B-2002-03-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F (registry code 8190130, https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C90 series (registry code 17009, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOM 8F
- Reported engine: CONT C90*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,200 total, 450 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA01LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA109) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010531009999A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19)ON MAY 31, 2001, ABOUT 1644 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A LUSCOMBE 8F, N1389B, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 MILES SOUTH OF MCNARY FIELD, SALEM, OREGON. THE AIRPLANE IS OWNED BY THE SECOND PILOT, AND WAS BEING OPERATED AS A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT UNDER TITLE 14, CFR PART 91, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FIRST PILOT, A COMMERCIAL PILOT/CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND THE SECOND PILOT, A PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION, WERE NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE LOCAL FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM A GRASS STRIP NEAR SALEM, OREGON, APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD ON JUNE 4, THE FIRST PILOT STATED THEY WERE TRANSITIONING FROM A PRIVATELY OWNED GRASS STRIP TO MCNARY FIELD, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 1,500 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL) WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE FIRST PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.              (-23)FUEL STARVATION STRONGLY SUSPECTED AT THIS TIME. CARBURATOR SENT OUT FOR BENCH AND FLOW CHECK AT THE DIRECTION OF NTSB. WILL AMEND THIS DOCUMENT AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE BENCH CHECK DETERMINED.                          (-23 AMENDMENT) CARBURETOR BENCHED CHECK SATISFACTORY. IGNITION SYSTEM CHECKED GOOD. POSITIVE FUEL FLOW FROM BOTH WING TANKS ESTABLISHED. TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND PHASE OF FLIGHT FAVORABLE FOR ICING AT GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER. PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT FOR APPROACH.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA01LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA109), May 31, 2001: Luscombe 8F (N1389B), Salem, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was tall grass in the landing area.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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