# NTSB DEN88FA186: Luscombe 8A, N71572, Dimock, SD, August 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1988, 19:30 local (Aug 18, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Dimock, SD
- Coordinates: 43.470256, -97.979148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4703&lon=-97.9791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,line - corroded (cause)
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - powerplant - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS GIVING AIRPLANE RIDES TO SOME NEIGHBORS FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF WITH A NEW PAX. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE GROUND AFTER LIFTOFF, AND THEN THE ACFT CLIMBED QUICKLY. THE ACFT THEN BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT DURING WHICH TIME THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HIGHER HORSEPOWER ENG THEN AUTHORIZED FOR THIS MODEL ACFT. THIS LARGER HORSEPOWER ENG REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS, I.E., ADDITION OF A ENG OPERATED FUEL PUMP AND A WOBBLE PUMP OR INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD FUEL TANKS. THE PURPOSE OF THE MODIFICATIONS WAS TO INSURE ADEQUATE FUEL FLOW AND HEAD PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE. THESE MODIFICATIONS WERE NOT MADE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK BEHIND THE SEATS AND INSIDE OF THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTY, RESTRICTING FUEL FLOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71572](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71572-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 2999, 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: 2999
- Airframe hours: 1196
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-9 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hunter, Paul J.
- Registered owner: Hunter, Paul J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1988, 26 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 458 total, 26 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HON, 80 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 19880817033889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880817033889A), Aug 17, 1988: Luscom 8A, Dimock, SD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled trying to turn back as engine quit on steep climbout. Rust in fuel line non compliance with engine STC.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.