# NTSB DEN78DQD09: Luscombe 8E, N1438K, Timberton, NM, January 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 5, 1978
- Place: Timberton, NM · TIMBERTON, NM
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN78DQD09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78DQD09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0138   78/1/5    TIMBERTON,NM        LUSCOMBE 8E         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1500                    N1438K              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 29, 1007 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            15 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SUNSPOT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TIMBERTON,NM                EL PASO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          290                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALTITUDE 8400 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1438K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1438K-2009-06-30), registration cancelled 2009-06-30, S/N 4165, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sunspot

## 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 19780105000119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780105000119A), Jan 5, 1978: Luscom 8E, Timberton, NM, Substantial damage. Density altitude 8400 ft.

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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