# NTSB LAX04LA009: Luscombe 8F, N1918B, Murrieta, CA, October 11, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2003, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Murrieta, CA - Coordinates: 33.57611, -117.128051 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5761&lon=-117.1281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58138/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Fog and rising terrain were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command - terrain condition - rising - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain just after departure. The pilot's friend had departed and reported clear weather conditions. As the pilot departed, a fog bank closed in. The pilot turned to the right in an attempt to land. During the turn, he saw a hill. He added power and attempted to avoid the hill, but the airplane impacted the hillside. Dense fog conditions were present during the time of the accident, and the pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departure. There were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2003, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1918B, collided with terrain just after departure from the French Valley Airport (F70), Murrieta, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal cross-country flight. The NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) reviewed a copy of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department police report. The responding deputy interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that he and his friend [in another airplane] were en route to Phoenix, Arizona. After takeoff the pilot decided to land because he had "a strange feeling about the flight." The pilot made a right turn to the south in an attempt to land to the north. During the turn, he saw a hill. He added power and attempted to turn to the right; however, the airplane impacted the hillside. Witnesses to the accident reported that dense fog conditions were present. In a written statement, the pilot reported that when he departed, the sky was clear in his direction of flight. As he departed, a fog bank closed in and he attempted to return to the airport. While in the turn, the airplane impacted the ground. He noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions. In a phone conversation, the pilot stated that his friend departed prior to him. His friend reported clear weather conditions. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1918B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1918B-2004-04-08), registration cancelled 2004-04-08, S/N 6345, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8F - Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6345 - Airframe hours: 1928 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alexander Mackie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 2003 - Departed: KF70, Murrieta, CA - Destination: A39, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: F70, French Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KRIV, 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 20031011025829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031011025829A), Oct 11, 2003: Luscom 8F, Murrieta/Temecu, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 11, 2003, about 0800 pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1918B collided with terrain just after departure from the French Valley Airport… ## Other investigations on N1918B (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN72FQD34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FQD34), Jun 30, 1972: Luscombe 8F (N1918B), Deming, NM, substantial damage 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.