# NTSB LAX93LA358: Luscombe 8E, N2485K, Napa, CA, September 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1993, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.250263, -122.30957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2503&lon=-122.3096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA358
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA358

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF.  THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On September 19, 1993, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, the right wing of a Luscombe 8E, N2485K, struck the ground and crashed shortly after taking off from runway 18L at Napa Airport, Napa, California.  The pilot was beginning a local visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor the certificated private pilot/passenger were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The first pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the engine suddenly lost power shortly after lift off.  The pilot elected to land on the freshly plowed field next to the runway.

The FAA, Sacramento Flight Standards District Office, did not conduct an on-scene investigation; the engine was not examined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2485K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2485K), registered now, S/N 5212, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5212
- Airframe hours: 3337
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark M. Rusin & Lee A. Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1930, 4 hours before
- Airport: APC, Napa County Airport, runway 18L, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 331 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19930919034799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930919034799A), Sep 19, 1993: Luscom 8E, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Wing struck ground on liftoff. Landed in plowed field adjacent to runway. Power loss reported. Unverified.

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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