# NTSB FTW90FA091: Luscombe 8-A, N1410K, Baytown, TX, April 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1990, 18:51 local (23:51 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.800857, -94.970031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8009&lon=-94.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA091

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE MANEUVERING AFTER A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND A PARTIALLY BLOCKED EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH HAD BEEN INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, unknown (cause)
  - exhaust system,baffle - separation (cause)
  - exhaust system,baffle - deteriorated (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate
  - pull-up - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 13. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE DECREASE ITS CLIMB ANGLE OR LEVEL OFF AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL AND TURN LEFT. THE ANGLE OF BANK STEEPENED UNTIL A POINT ABOUT 120 DEGREES INTO THE TURN. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED & ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LEADING ATTITUDE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 120 DEGREES AT 8 KNOTS. WITNESSES STATED IT APPEARED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF & INITIAL CLIMB. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FLAME TUBE OF THE LEFT MUFFLER HAD SEPARATED & PARTIALLY BLOCKED THE OUTFLOW FROM THE MUFFLER. THIS BLOCKAGE CAUSED BACK PRESSURE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EVIDENCED BY SOOTING OF THE EXHAUST STACKS AND PLUGS ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 11 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO SUBSEQUENT ENTRIES. AIRPLANE RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE WHEN THE MUFFLERS HAD LAST BEEN OVERHAULED OR REPLACED. PILOT'S MOST RECENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED ON 3/19/79.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1410K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1410K-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 4137, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8-A
- 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: 4137
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loren D Loy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1989
- Airport: HPY, Baytown, runway 13, 3,994 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 474 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 15 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 19900407007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900407007679A), Apr 7, 1990: Luscom 8A, Baytown, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine lost power on climbout. Turned back,banked too steeply stalled. Muffler baffle loose blocked air.

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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