# NTSB LAX89LA335: Luscombe 8A, N77969, Napa, CA, July 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 22:00 local (Jul 10, 1989, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550479, -122.149368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5505&lon=-122.1494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA335

## Probable cause

SUICIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - suicide - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON THE EVENING OF 7/9/89 THE PILOT TELEPHONED FRIENDS. HE WAS REPORTED TO BE DESPONDENT, INDICATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO KILL HIMSELF, AND STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CRASH HIS AIRCRAFT IN THE CENTER OF LAKE BERRYESSA SO AS TO NOT HURT ANYONE. THE PILOT AND HIS AIRCRAFT WERE REPORTED MISSING ON 7/10/89. A SUICIDE LETTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND IN HIS RESIDENCE. THE WRECKAGE AND PILOT WERE FOUND 10/8/91 IN 45 FT OF WATER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77969-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 3696, 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: 3696
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard A. Bryson
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: 045

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 45 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890709066709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709066709A), Jul 9, 1989: Luscom 8A, Napa, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Dived near vertically power on into lake berryessa despondent pilot left a suicide note intending suicide crash.

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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