# NTSB MIA89LA129: Luscombe 8A, N311P, St Augustine, FL, April 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: St Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.889661, -81.310623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8897&lon=-81.3106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA129

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE TREE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT ENG LOST POWER GRADUALLY.  DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE & WAS DAMAGED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N311P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311P), registered now, S/N 1479, built 1940 (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: 1479
- Airframe hours: 2640
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Newton, Richard D
- Registered owner: Richard D Newton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGJ, ST AUGUSTINE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 25 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 19890412028689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890412028689A), Apr 12, 1989: Luscom 8A, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power gradually. Landing on a road, wing struck tree. Fuel contamination caused power loss.

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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