# NTSB LAX87LA031: Luscombe 8A, N71745, Half Moon Bay, CA, November 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1986, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Half Moon Bay, CA
- Coordinates: 37.439556, -122.409706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4396&lon=-122.4097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND APPLIED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO DESCEND FROM 3,000 TO 2,000 FT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRICAL STARTING SYSTEM. HE LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD WITH ROUGH/SOFT SURFACE CONDITIONS COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT'S FUSELAGE. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ACFT'S ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND NO CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71745](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71745-2018-02-23), registration cancelled 2018-02-23, S/N 3172, built 1946 (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: 3172
- Airframe hours: 2532
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon, Carlton H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: HWD, HAYWOOD, CA
- Destination: HAF, HALF MOON BAY, CA
- Airport: HAF, Halfmoon Bay

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,064 total, 23 in this make and model, 2,993 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 26 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 19861101052739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861101052739A), Nov 1, 1986: Luscom 8A, Halfmoon Bay, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed during descent. The aircraft was damaged on landing. Suspect carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N71745 (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 LAX91LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA077), Jan 19, 1991: Luscombe 8A (N71745), Bakersfield, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING CROSSWIND.

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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