# NTSB DEN86LA108: Luscombe T-8F, N1593B, Watkins, CO, March 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1986, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750648, -104.599555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7506&lon=-104.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS AT 500 FT AGL A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PILOT RATED PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY LANDING WHILE THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON OPEN ROLLING TERRAIN WITH A 15 KT GUSTING TO 20 KT TAILWIND. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED/MUSHED DURING THE LANDING AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE CO-PLT WAS NOT CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT. HIS RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS IN LARGE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE FAILED TO DISCLOSE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1593B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1593B-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 6220, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE T-8F
- Registry model: [Luscombe T-8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-t-8f) (registry code 8190116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6220
- Airframe hours: 3095
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn Terry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: O1V, AURORA, CO
- Airport: 01V, Aurora

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,560 total, 4 in this make and model, 4,077 as pilot in command, 241 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 16 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 19860331011069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860331011069A), Mar 31, 1986: Luscom T8F, Watkins, CO, Destroyed. Engine quit while practicing maneuvers. Hard downwind landing on rolling terrain. Suspect fuel problem.

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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