# NTSB ATL86FA242: Luscombe 8C, N39068, Lavonia, GA, September 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1986, 12:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Lavonia, GA
- Coordinates: 34.429672, -83.100639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4297&lon=-83.1006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA242

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BRAIN TUMOR AND WAS TAKING 300 MG OF DILANTIN DAILY FOR THE GILOMA. HE SUFFERED A GRAND MAL SEIZURE ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HIS MOTHER STATED THAT THE PILOT TOLD HER DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION THAT HE HAD TAKEN HIS MORNING DOSAGE OF DILANTIN PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR MORGANTON, NC. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WOODED AREA IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THERE WERE SEVERAL FRESHLY CUT TREE BRANCHES ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE AND WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE EXACT DEVELOPMENT OF THE GILOMA WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE AUTOPSY. FAR PART 61.53 STATES THAT NO PERSON MAY ACT AS PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE HE HAS A KNOWN MEDICAL DEFICIENCY, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HELD ARE NOT MET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39068](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39068-2011-01-31), registration cancelled 2011-01-31, S/N 1829, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8C
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8C](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8c) (registry code 8190108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1829
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd Sauls
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JEFFERSON, GA
- Destination: MORGANTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 460 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860905044579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860905044579A), Sep 5, 1986: Luscom 8C, Lavonia, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted trees. The aircraft was not certificated and the pilot had a history of seizures.

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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