# NTSB DEN83LA004: Luscombe 8A, N2935K, La Junta, CO, October 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1982, 12:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.979835, -103.539306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9798&lon=-103.5393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 12. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER LANDING, HE BEGAN TO SET THE TRIM AND PREPARE TO TAKEOFF, WHEN THE TAIL POPPED UP AND HE COULD HEAR THE WIND WHISTLING. REPORTEDLY, HE APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE USED FULL LEFT RUDDER TO COMPENSATE, BUT THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER WHILE IT WAS STILL ON THE RUNWAY. ABOUT 12 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE 170 DEGREES AT 6 KTS AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2935K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2935K), registered now, S/N 5662, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5662
- Airframe hours: 2445
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Dale Clifton
- Registered owner: Jack Dale Clifton
- Departed: LHX, LA JUNTA, CO
- Destination: LHX, LA JUNTA, CO
- Airport: LHX, La Junta Municipal, runway 12, 8,274 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 51 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX

## 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 19821007051629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821007051629A), Oct 7, 1982: Luscom 8A, La Junta, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft during touch and go landing, airplane flipped inverted.

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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