# NTSB CHI89LA126: Luscombe 8A, N2154K, Sebewaing, MI, June 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Sebewaing, MI
- Coordinates: 43.730655, -83.450271 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7307&lon=-83.4503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA126

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INATTENTIVE AIRCRAFT HANDLING WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO DETECT AND PREVENT THE AIRCRAFT'S DESCENT INTO THE WHEAT FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - crop (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT WITH HIS GRANDSON, THE 64 YEAR OLD PILOT FLEW LOW OVER A WHEAT FIELD TO CHECK OUT THE CROP. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND LOW ENOUGH FOR THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TO GET CAUGHT IN THE TOP OF THE WHEAT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THE POINT OF INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE WHEAT, AND NOSED OVER, COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2154K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2154K-1990-02-16), registration cancelled 1990-02-16, S/N 4881 (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: 4881
- Airframe hours: 1209
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Koch, Howard
- Registered owner: Koch, Howard & Helen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1988, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 936 total, 936 in this make and model, 936 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 30 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 19890630018859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630018859A), Jun 30, 1989: Luscom 8A, Sebewaing, MI, Substantial damage. Flew low over wheat field to check crop. Wheels caught in wheat and aircraft nosed over.

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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