# NTSB CHI85FA229: Luscombe 8A, N23004, Jeffersonville, OH, June 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 15:32 local (19:32 UTC)
- Place: Jeffersonville, OH
- Coordinates: 39.649929, -83.549804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6499&lon=-83.5498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA229

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command
  - ifr procedure - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD CIRCLED THE NORTH-SOUTH GRASS RUNWAY TWICE BEFORE ATTEMPTING A SOUTH LANDING WITH AN ESTIMATED 20 TO 30 MPH CROSSWIND FROM THE WEST. THE AIRPLANE STALED AND MADE A 360 DEGREE ROLL. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN AN ALMOST LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD OVERSHOT THE CENTERINE OF THE RUNWAY AND HAD STEEPENED HIS TURN TRYING TO RETURN TO CENTERLINE WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PILOT HAD 390 HOURS TOTAL TIME OF WHICH ONLY TWENTY HOURS WERE DUAL INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23004 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4060968
- Airframe hours: 3322
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-C65A 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ebert A. Crueaa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1984, 13 hours before
- Departed: 401, WAYNESVILLE, OH
- Airport: RLA, Private, runway 18, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 390 total, 390 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 35 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 19850613024609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850613024609A), Jun 13, 1985: Luscom 8A, Jeffersonville, OH, Destroyed. Stalled while turning to final at low altitude. Extremely gusty crosswind a factor. Crashed in a level attitude.

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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