# NTSB DEN86LA186: Luscombe 8A, N1272K, Salida, CO, July 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1986, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Salida, CO
- Coordinates: 38.529163, -105.999816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5292&lon=-105.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON ENTERING THE MOUNTAIN PASS, THE ACFT HE WAS PILOTING ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS FROM WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THE PLT STATED HE BLED OFF AIRSPEED UNTIL CONTACT WITH THE TREES. A LOCAL FLT INSTRUCTOR WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT WHILE FLYING OVERHEAD, STATED HE HAD GIVEN THE PLT OF THE MISHAP ACFT, VIA RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, ALT'S NEEDED TO CLEAR THE PASS & ALSO 'HIS LAST TURN AROUND POINT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1272K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1272K-2013-04-10), registration cancelled 2013-04-10, S/N 3999, built 1946 (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: 3999
- Airframe hours: 1009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. Tribbey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1985, 73 hours before
- Departed: 00V, FALCON, CO
- Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 243 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860709031519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860709031519A), Jul 9, 1986: Luscom 8A, Salida, CO, Substantial damage. While operating at a low altitude in a canyon, encountered a downdraft. Unable to clear rising terrain, hit trees.

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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