# NTSB LAX86LA322: Luscombe 8F, N2122B, Marble Canyon, AZ, August 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1986, 19:15 local (Aug 15, 1986, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Marble Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.740596, -111.849205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7406&lon=-111.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA322

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed
  - maneuver - initiated
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A RAFT ON THE COLORADO RIVER TO 'WAVE HIS WINGS' AT THE RAFTING GROUP. RPRTDLY, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE HIS DIRECTION WHEN THE ACFT SUDDENLY CRASHED IN THE RIVER. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT THE WRECKAGE & OCCUPANTS WERE NOT RECOVERED UNTIL NEARLY 3 MONTHS LATER. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2122B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2122B-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 6549, built 1949 (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: 6549
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Safely, Don David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19860814042159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860814042159A), Aug 14, 1986: Luscom 8F, Marble Canyon, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft stalled during buzzing maneuvers in a Canyon and impacted a river.

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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