# NTSB ANC88LA113: Luscombe 8E, N2542K, Dillingham, AK, August 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1988, 16:34 local (Aug 20, 1988, 00:34 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.819671, -157.859115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8197&lon=-157.8591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5054
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5054/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA113

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS BEGINNING HIS DESCENT FOR LANDING AT DILLINGHAM, ALASKA AND DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT UNTIL HIS ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. HE LANDED ON THE TUNDRA AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2542K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2542K), registered now, S/N 5269, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5269
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell S. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STY, NEW STUYAHOK, AK
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Airport: Dillingham, runway 1, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 401 total, 307 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 33 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLG1

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880819034229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880819034229A), Aug 19, 1988: Luscom 8E, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to use carburetor heat during descent to airport. Engine quit, landed on tundra and aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N2542K (2)

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 ANC14CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA017), Mar 2, 2014: Silvaire Luscombe 8E (N2542K), Alegnagik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to determine that the ice that he was taxiing on was safe for operation.
- [NTSB ANC93LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA135), Aug 6, 1993: Luscombe SL8 (N2542K), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.