# NTSB ANC97LA038: Luscombe 8A, N1295K, Kake, AK, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1997, 17:30 local (Mar 27, 1997, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Kake, AK - Coordinates: 56.789302, -134.190292 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7893&lon=-134.1903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area, the pilot's becoming lost/disoriented, and rocks and boulders in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot became disoriented and flew past the valley where the destination airport was located. He realized he was lost and low on fuel, and elected to make a precautionary landing. As he turned the airplane in preparation for landing on an open, sandy beach, the engine lost all power. The airplane nosed over during the forced landing on a rocky beach. Postaccident inspection disclosed no fuel in the intact fuel system. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1997, about 1730 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a wheel equipped Luscombe LL-8-A airplane, N1295K, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a remote beach 21 miles west of Kake, Alaska. The private certificated pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 cross country personal flight originated at Atlin Lake, British Columbia, at 1420 ADT, and was en route to Juneau, Alaska. A VFR flight plan was in effect, and the airplane operated in visual meteorological weather. The pilot reported he was unfamiliar with flying in the area, became disoriented and was unsure of where Juneau was located. He realized the airplane had minimal fuel reserves remaining, and elected to make a precautionary landing on a remote and sandy beach site. During the turn to land, the engine lost all power, and a forced landing was made on a rocky beach short of the intended landing site. The airplane received substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll. Postaccident inspection revealed no fuel in the fuel tank, lines, or engine. The fuel system remained intact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1295K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1295K-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 4022, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4022 - Airframe hours: 1883 - Engines: Continental A-65-8-F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Raymon Allen Gregg - Registered owner: Larry Gregg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1996, 47 hours before - Departed: CYSQ, ATLIN LAKE - Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 43 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAF, 21 nm away ## 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 19970326003739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970326003739A), Mar 26, 1997: Luscom 8A, Kake, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot became disoriented and flew past the valley where the destination airport was located. He realized he was lost and low on fuel, and elected to… 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.