# NTSB ATL83FKJ02: Luscombe 8E, N1860K, Elba, AL, January 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1983, 05:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Elba, AL
- Coordinates: 31.410736, -86.070533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4107&lon=-86.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FKJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FKJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING APRX 4 HRS BEFORE DEPARTURE. HE STATED THAT ON ARRIVAL, THE ARPT BEACON LIGHT WAS NOT ON & PATCHES OF GROUND FOG WERE IN THE AREA. DURING THE ARRIVAL, HE APPROACHED FROM THE SOUTH, FLEW NORTH OVER THE ARPT, CIRCLED TO THE SOUTHWEST, THEN TURNED ON A SHORT FINAL FOR RWY 01. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS TO A CONVENIENCE STORE NEAR THE NORTH END OF THE RWY WERE NOT ON, AND THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD, SINCE HE WAS TO MEET SOMEONE THERE AT 0500. AT ABOUT THE TIME HE LEVELED HIS WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH, THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA & CAME TO REST APRX 100 YDS FROM THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1860K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1860K), registered now, S/N 4587 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4587
- Airframe hours: 1532
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, Lloyd M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1982, 65 hours before
- Departed: 149, PRATTVILLE, AL
- Destination: 14J, ELBA, AL
- Airport: 14J, Carl Folsom, runway 1, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,800 total, 165 in this make and model, 4,590 as pilot in command, 279 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: MGM, 55 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 19830108000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830108000549A), Jan 8, 1983: Luscom 8E, Elba, AL, Substantial damage. Right wing struck a tree while turning final for a night landing. Ground fog in area. No obstruction on lighting.

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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