# NTSB ATL83LA111: Luscombe 8A, N2975K, Jackson, MS, February 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1983, 19:11 local (Feb 20, 1983, 01:11 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MS
- Location: 32.3236° N, 90.0847° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from JACKSON-MEDGAR WILEY EVERS INTL (JAN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3236&lon=-90.0847&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - refueling - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT INTENDED TO REFUEL AT STARKVILLE, MS, BUT THE FBO WAS CLOSED. HE CONTINUED TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION OF RAYMOND, MS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON THE RWY LIGHTS. HE THEN DIVERTED TO JACKSON, MS. THE PLT REALIZED THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL, BUT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS CRITICAL. WHILE TURNING ONTO FINAL APCH AT JACKSON, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. HE ALIGNED THE ACFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE APCH LIGHTS & MADE A SOFT FIELD APCH. DURING THE NIGHT LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A MUD HOLE & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2975K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2975K-1992-11-25), registration cancelled 1992-11-25, S/N 5702 (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: 5702
- Airframe hours: 1853
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barry W. Sauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1983
- Departed: M57, STARKVILLE, MS
- Destination: M16, RAYMOND, MS
- Airport: JAN, Allen C. Thompson, runway 15L, 8,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 439 total, 286 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830219005969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830219005969A), Feb 19, 1983: Luscom 8A, Jackson, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot diverted to alternate field because unoperable runway lights. Engine quit from fuel exhaustion on final.

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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