# NTSB MIA88LA174: Luscombe 8A, N45980, Geneva, FL, May 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1988, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Geneva, FL
- Coordinates: 28.73085, -81.109436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7309&lon=-81.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATE THAT HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE OVER A TREE LINE WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SINK AND BEFORE THE SINK RATE COULD BE ARRESTED THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45980](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45980-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 2507 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2507
- Airframe hours: 1290
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel C. Shaww
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1987, 20 hours before
- Airport: Southerland, runway 11, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 694 total, 9 in this make and model, 464 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFB, 5 nm away

## 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 19880521015769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880521015769A), May 21, 1988: Luscom 8A, Geneva, FL, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final. Hit a tree and landed short of runway. Blamed turbulence but wind was light.

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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