# NTSB CHI78FEC12: Luscombe 8A, N71531, Salem, MI, February 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 4, 1978
- Place: Salem, MI · SALEM, MI
- Location: 42.4061° N, 83.5799° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salem, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4061&lon=-83.5799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FEC12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0271   78/2/4    SALEM, MI           LUSCOMBE 8A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 53, 1533
        TIME - 1645                    N71531              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 538 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SALEM
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SALEM, MI                   SALEM, MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  PITCH CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- PLT STATED HE SUSPECTS WHEEL CHOCKS SLIPPED DOWN AGAINST BACK SIDE OF CONTROL STICK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71531](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71531-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 2958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Salem

## 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 19780204001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780204001299A), Feb 4, 1978: Luscom 8E, Salem, MI, Substantial damage. Plt stated he suspects wheel chocks slipped down against back SID control stick.

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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