# NTSB LAX87LA288: Luscombe 8A, N1017K, Selma, CA, July 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1987, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Selma, CA
- Coordinates: 36.529735, -119.639129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5297&lon=-119.6391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA288

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A LUSCOMBE 8A COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED AIRPLANES AFTER A HAND PROPPED START. THE STUDENT PILOT STARTED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE WITHOUT THE BRAKES SET, WITH NO CHOCKS, AND WITH NO ONE IN THE COCKPIT. ONCE THE ENGINE STARTED, THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A CESSNA 150 AND A CESSNA 172. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD NO FLIGHT INSTRUCTION SINCE 1972. HE WAS LAST ENDORSED FOR SOLO FLIGHT IN A LUSCOMBE 8A ON 6/20/70 AND HAD NO ENDORSEMENT ON HIS STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1017K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1017K-1989-06-22), registration cancelled 1989-06-22, S/N 3744 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3744
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rasmussen, Paul A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1987, 65 hours before
- Departed: OQ4
- Airport: 004, Selma

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 56 total, 42 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 9 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.

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