# NTSB LAX90LA295: Luscombe 8A, N71330, Tucson, AZ, August 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1990, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.059089, -111.42031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0591&lon=-111.4203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA295

## Probable cause

THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER PITCH ATTITUDE AND AIRSPEED TO AVOID AN AERODYNAMIC STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A LUSCOMBE 8A LOSS CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE AND A PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SEARCH FOR THE PASSENGER'S MISSING RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL AIRPLANE. THE MODEL AIRPLANE WAS SPOTTED FROM ABOUT 1,500 FEET AGL. THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS TO PINPOINT THE LOCATION OF THE MODEL AIRPLANE. THE PILOT STATED, 'WHEN I MADE THE FINAL TURN TO FLY BY THE MODEL I STALLED INTO A GROVE OF MESQUITE TREES.' THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND STRUCK A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED 180 DEGREES AND STRUCK THE GROUND TAIL FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71330](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71330-1990-09-26), registration cancelled 1990-09-26, S/N 2757 (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: 2757
- Airframe hours: 1956
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A 65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Semrad, James V.
- Registered owner: Semrad, James V
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1989, 85 hours before
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 175 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °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 19900819034029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900819034029A), Aug 19, 1990: Luscom 8A, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed during a low level steep turn after spotting lost radio controlled model airplane.

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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