# NTSB DEN83FA008: Luscombe T-8F, N2231B, Choteau, MT, October 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1982, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Choteau, MT
- Location: 47.8137° N, 112.1794° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Choteau, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8137&lon=-112.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS A DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO GIVE THE PIC OPPORTUNITY TO FLY THE ACFT FROM THE REAR SEAT AS HE WAS PLANNING TO GIVE FLT INSTRUCTION IN THE ACFT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AS FAR AS COULD BE DETERMINED, THE PIC HAD NEVER FLOWN THE ACFT FROM THE REAR SEAT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A FLAT SPIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2231B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE T-8F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6658
- Airframe hours: 7480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Insurance Associates, Inc.
- Registered owner: Insurance Associates, Inc.
- Departed: 4U5, CHOTEAU, MT
- Destination: 4U5, CHOTEAU, MT
- Airport: 4U5, Choteau

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,126 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,709 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTF, 39 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 19821014052829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821014052829A), Oct 14, 1982: Luscom T8F, Choteau, MT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed in what appeared to be a flat spin. Pilot was practicing flying from back seat with pax in front.

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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