# NTSB ATL83FA071: Luscombe 8A, N76T, Apex, NC, December 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1982, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.720474, -78.839477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7205&lon=-78.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not attained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE LUSCOMBE HAD DEPARTED THE E-W RWY IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION, HAD REVERSED COURSE & WAS ON A STRAIGHT-IN APCH TO RWY 27. THE PA-22 ENTERED THE ARPT TRAFFIC VIA A STANDARD LEFT DOWNWIND & BASE PATTERN. DURING FINAL THE PA-22 ENDED UP ABOVE & SLIGHTLY BEHIND THE LUSCOMBE. THE PA-22'S NOSEWHEEL DESCENDED INTO THE LUSCOMBE'S PROP ARC. THE LUSCOMBE WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED INTO THE TREES. THE PA-22 CONTINUED FOR A NORMAL LANDING. THE LUSCOMBE HAD NO RADIO & NO UNICOMFREQ WAS ASSIGNED FOR THE ARPT. THE LUSCOMBE WAS ABOUT 5 MOS PAST DUE FOR AN ANNUAL.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N76T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76T-1988-08-16), registration cancelled 1988-08-16, S/N 3008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3008
- Airframe hours: 4228
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul J. White
- Registered owner: Paul J. White
- Departed: NC81, APEX, NC
- Destination: NC81, APEX, NC
- Airport: NC81, Cox Field, runway 27, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N73260 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5114
- Airframe hours: 3127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas J. Bashford
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Bashford
- Departed: AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: APEX, NC
- Airport: NC81, Cox Field, runway 27, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N76T; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 100 total, 50 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N73260; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 635 total, 45 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Observed at: RDU, 15 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 19821226066831A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821226066831A), Dec 26, 1982: Luscom 8A, Apex, NC, Substantial damage. After takeoff, made 180 to return to runway. Propeller was hit by nose wheel of N7326D in final from left turn in.

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.

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