# NTSB LAX01LA269: Luscombe 8A, N28882, Fort Bragg, CA, August 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2001, 16:19 local (23:19 UTC) - Place: Fort Bragg, CA - Coordinates: 39.483333, -123.783332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4833&lon=-123.7833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA269 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while making a precautionary landing resulting in an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane while in a right turn for a precautionary landing. The destination airport became fogged in and the airplane was running low on fuel, so the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing to a ranch road. During the landing the pilot said he "allowed the airspeed to get too slow," resulting in a stall. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2001, at 1619 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A single engine airplane, N28882, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in a field near Fort Bragg, California. The private pilot and private pilot passenger both received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot/owner as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight. The flight originated at a private airstrip near Fort Bragg, about 1535, and flew to Little River, California (13 miles south of Fort Bragg), for three takeoffs and landings. According to the pilot's written statement, he departed on the flight with 1/2-full fuel tanks because of the airplane "load, runway length, obstructions, and temperature." On the return leg, he noted fog developing near Fort Bragg, and could not locate the airport. The pilot attempted to divert to another private airstrip but could not find it due to the fog. The pilot also attempted to return to Little River, but noticed fog and could not see the airport. With about 3 gallons of fuel remaining, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing on a ranch road near Fort Bragg. The pilot stated that during the close in approach, while turning to the right to align the airplane with the road, he "allowed the airspeed to get too slow." The right wing "stalled" and impacted the ground, followed by the nose, left wing, and landing gear. The pilot stated that the weather was clear at the accident site, and there were no airplane or engine issues. The airplane sustained structural damage to the outboard wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. Under the section titled "Recommendations (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented," in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB 6120.1/2), the pilot wrote, "keep airspeed high enough to avoid stall in turn." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28882](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28882-2002-09-04), registration cancelled 2002-09-04, S/N 1624, built 1940 (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: 1624 - Airframe hours: 3894.3 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elson S. Hamilton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2001, 8.5 hours before - Departed: 048, Little River, CA - Destination: 8Q3, Fort Bragg, CA - Airport: 8Q3, Fort Bragg (Private) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 2,722 total, 82 in this make and model, 2,669 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: UKI, 34 nm away 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.