# NTSB FTW89FA025: Luscombe 8E, N2301K, Port Lavaca, TX, November 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1988, 23:35 local (Nov 27, 1988, 05:35 UTC)
- Place: Port Lavaca, TX
- Coordinates: 28.60917, -96.619293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6092&lon=-96.6193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THERE WERE NO RECORDS TO INDICATE THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING FROM ANY WEATHER REPORTING SERVICE. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THE NIGHT WAS DARK AND THE GROUND WAS COVERED WITH FOG. THE AIRPLANE LANDING LIGHT WAS ON, THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, AND THERE WAS A WELL- LIGHTED, NEARBY CAUSEWAY (SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY), IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO THE TOP OF A HOUSE IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE-LOW ATTITUDE. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PILOT REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF BENZOYLECGONINE IN HIS URINE AND .260 MG/L IN HIS BLOOD. CANNABINOIDS WERE ALSO IDENTIFIED IN THE URINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2301K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2301K-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 5028 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5028
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lincoln, Carl
- Registered owner: Lincoln, Carl T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1988
- Departed: 03R, ARANSAS PASS, TX
- Destination: T17, HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 89 total, 54 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 20 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 19881126052239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881126052239A), Nov 26, 1988: Luscom 8E, Port Lavaca, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into roof of a house at night in near zero IMC. Combination of weather and drugs in pilots system factors.

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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