# NTSB LAX89FA099: Silvaire 8F, N3550G, Lake Elsinore, CA, January 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1989, 17:15 local (Jan 29, 1989, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Lake Elsinore, CA
- Location: 33.2340° N, 116.9686° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOAG (CL47), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2340&lon=-116.9686&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA099

## Probable cause

LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER AND/OR UNAPPROVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE AIRCRAFT'S AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT/OWNER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT/OWNER'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO MODIFY THE AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM WITHOUT APPROVAL BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THE FAA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 300-400 FT AGL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY ROLLED INTO A 90 DEG BANK TO THE RIGHT AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT/OWNER HAD PERFORMED MODIFICATIONS TO THE AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH WERE CONTRARY TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND WITHOUT FAA APPROVAL. ANOTHER LUSCOMBE PILOT/OWNER HAD PERFORMED THE SAME MODIFICATION OF THE AILERON'S RIGGING TO HIS OWN ACFT WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACFT'S ROLL BECOMING UNSTABLE WHEN BANKING OVER 30 DEG. HE INFORMED THE ACCIDENT PILOT THAT THE AILERON RIGGING MODIFICATION HAD PROVED UNSATISFACTORY. ANOTHER MODIFICATION WAS THE REMOVAL OF FAIRLEADS WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE DOOR POSTS AND REPLACED WITH METAL PULLEYS. THE PILOT HAD BEEN DIABETIC FOR OVER 20 YEARS; NO MENTION OF THIS ON THE PILOT'S MEDICAL APPLICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3550G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3550G-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N S-82, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Silvaire 8F
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190130) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S-82
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12-F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven M. Grant
- Registered owner: Steven And Marianne Grant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CL47, LAKE ELSINORE, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: CL47, Skylark, runway 29R, 2,800 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890128001409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890128001409A), Jan 28, 1989: Luscom 8F, Lake Elsinore, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot rerigged unauthorized aileron control system. Lost control on takeoff and spun in.

## Other investigations on N3550G (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 DEN65D0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0020), Jan 30, 1965: Luscombe 8F (N3550G), Littleton, CO, 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.

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