# NTSB ATL85LA104: Luscombe 8A, N71877, Suches, GA, February 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1985, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Suches, GA
- Coordinates: 34.730033, -84.060302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7300&lon=-84.0603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA104

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN PILOT USED SHALLOW CLIMB ON COURSE. PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO CLIMB TO A SUITABLE ALTITUDE. WHEN FIRST RIDGE WAS CLEARED A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. PILOT MADE 180 DEGREE TURN BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71877](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71877-1993-05-05), registration cancelled 1993-05-05, S/N 3304 (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: 3304
- Airframe hours: 1563
- Engines: Continental 65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Aimone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1984
- Departed: 46A, BLAIRSVILLE, GA
- Destination: 8A9, ATLANTA, GA
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,581 total, 133 in this make and model, 2,259 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## Other investigations on N71877 (1)

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 MKC80FCA28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FCA28), Aug 18, 1980: Luscombe 8A (N71877), Kennett, MO, substantial damage

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.