# NTSB LAX82DA217: Luscombe 8A, N2013B, Delano, CA, June 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1982, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Delano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.779815, -119.230781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7798&lon=-119.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system - other
  - maintenance,design change - performed, other maintenance personnel
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS DAUGHTER WERE ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A HIGHWAY, THE PILOT NOTICED SOME POWERLINES WHICH HE WENT UNDER. HE AVOIDED THE POWERLINES, BUT HIT A TRUCK. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED WITHIN 5 MILES OF THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND HAD NO RECOLLECTION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. HIS DAUGHTER RELATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT RAN OUT OF FUEL. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH TANKS. THE RIGHT TANK HAD THE LOWEST LEVEL OF FUEL WITH 3 GALLONS REMAINING. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE VERY STIFF AND COULD NOT BE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REBUILT FROM 3 OTHER PLANES AND DID NOT HAVE THE LUSCOMBE AUTHORIZED FUEL SYSTEM INSTALLED. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2013B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2013B), registered now, S/N 6440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6440
- Airframe hours: 1160
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald C. Sprankle
- Registered owner: Michael Simek
- Departed: PORTERVILLE, CA
- Destination: DELANO, CA
- Airport: DLO, Delano

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820612021699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820612021699A), Jun 12, 1982: Luscom 8A, Delano, CA, Destroyed. Fuel starvation due to binding selector. Tried to land on a road under wires. Struck a truck on the roadway.

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.