# NTSB ATL88FA199: Luscombe 8A, N1144B, Horse Shoe, NC, June 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1988, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Horse Shoe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.390705, -82.639549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3907&lon=-82.6395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA199

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED THAT HE WAS IRRIGATING A NEWLY CULTIVATED CORN FIELD WITH A SPRAY IRRIGATION MACHINE. HE HEARD AND THEN OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE FLY THROUGH OR JUST OVER A GAP IN THE TREES AT THE NORTHEAST END OF THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE PROCEEDED TO FLY THROUGH THE IRRIGATING SPRAY AND COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES 37.8 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. AFTER THE COLLISION THE AIRPLANE BECAME INVERTED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING ADEQUATE POWER FOR FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1144B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1144B-1988-06-22), registration cancelled 1988-06-22, S/N 5771 (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: 5771
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter B. Fletcher
- Registered owner: Walter B Fletcher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FLETCHER, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 4 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 19880622022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880622022699A), Jun 22, 1988: Luscom 8A, Asheville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into a 37 ft AGL powerline. Crashed and burned. Was flying over a field in a gap between tree covered hills.

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.