# NTSB CHI99LA353: Luscombe 8A, N65353, Gran Marais, MN, September 26, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1999, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Gran Marais, MN
- Coordinates: 47.750343, -90.339241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7503&lon=-90.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA353
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA353

## Probable cause

the downwind turn, stall, mush, due to the pilot's decision to turn and failure to maintain flying speed.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

After takeoff from a lake into the wind, the aircraft began a left turn over the lake shore and then descended during the turn until collision with the lake's surface.  The pilot said:  "The downward wind coming over hill and trees caused my loss of lift, then after turning left and stalling the left wing caused the crash."

## Factual narrative

On September 26, 1999, at 1535 central daylight time (cdt), a Luscombe 8A float equipped aircraft, N65353, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the surface of a lake following a pilot-described stall-mush that occurred during the airplane's initial climb out after takeoff.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The flight was operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight and the pilot had filed a VFR flight plan, but did not activate it.  The flight was departing from the Devil's Track Lake near Gran Marais, Minnesota, at 1535 cdt.

According to witnesses, the wind on the lake's surface was coming from the north-northwest.  They said the airplane took off into the wind and began a left turn over trees along the lake's shore. They said the airplane descended during the turn until it collided with the lake's surface.

The pilot stated in his written pilot statement:  "Lift off was fine.  Leveled to gain airspeed of 70 mph.  Raise nose to continue to climb out 70-75.  At 100 to 150 AGL I could sense plane settling some.  I chose to bank and turn left down the Lake rather than chance the trees and hill...The downward wind coming over hill and trees caused my loss of lift, then after turning left and stalling the left wing caused the crash."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65353 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2723
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: Continental C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C.H. Peters & J.L. Touchett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1999, 107 hours before
- Departed: 0G5
- Destination: 0G5
- Airport: 0G5, Cook County Sea Plane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 14, 1998; seat: right; flight hours: 270 total, 63 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.59 inHg
- Observed at: CKC

## 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 19990926030619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990926030619A), Sep 26, 1999: Luscom 8A, Grand Marais, MN, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 26, 1999, at 1535 central daylight time (CDT), a Luscombe 8A, N65353, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided…

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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