# NTSB CHI91FA159: Luscombe 8E, N333LR, Clinton, MI, May 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1991, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.05915, -83.969215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0592&lon=-83.9692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA159

## Probable cause

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO HEART ATTACK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - physical impairment(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH AND STRUCK A SET OF POWER LINES RUNNING ACROSS THE RUNWAY 347 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON.  THE AUTOPSY REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED A CARDIAC EVENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY EXPIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333LR-1991-10-03), registration cancelled 1991-10-03, S/N 5366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5366
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Louise M. Feichtinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 43G, BELLEVILLE, MI
- Airport: MI52, Markham, runway 1, 2,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,600 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB, 13 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 19910520016539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910520016539A), May 20, 1991: Luscom 8E, Clinton, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline on approach to runway. Crashed inverted attempting to land on unfamiliar private strip.

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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