# NTSB CHI90DEK01: Luscombe 8A, N45895, Findlay, OH, October 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1989, 18:23 local (22:23 UTC)
- Place: Findlay, OH
- Location: 41.0474° N, 83.6381° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Findlay, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0474&lon=-83.6381&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEK01

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE FOLLOWING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN. ADDITIONAL CAUSES WERE A CORRODED FUEL SYSTEM & CARBURETOR, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/REBUILD, OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN ACFT, & LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - corroded (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,rebuild/remanufacture - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft control - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45895](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45895-1992-04-01), registration cancelled 1992-04-01, S/N 2422 (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: 2422
- Airframe hours: 2583
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1986, 79 hours before
- Departed: 7D5, FINDLAY, OH
- Airport: Priebe Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 100 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FDY, 5 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 19891012039989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891012039989A), Oct 12, 1989: Luscom 8A, Findlay, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine sputtered on takeoff climb. Stalled and impacted vertical. Found corrosion in carb. Magneto timing incorrect

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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