# NTSB MKC89DPG01: Culver LFA, N34872, Dumas, AR, October 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1988, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Dumas, AR
- Coordinates: 33.880233, -91.479637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8802&lon=-91.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89DPG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DPG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - ignition system,magneto - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BACKFIRED WHILE IN A TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE HEARD IT BACKFIRE TWICE MORE AND NOTICED ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED. WHEN RUNUP, THE ENGINE WOULD ATTAIN 1900 RPM, THEN BACKFIRE AND THE RPM WOULD DROP TO 600 RPM. WHEN THE MAGNETOS WERE REPLACED, THE ENGINE RAN WITHOUT PROBLEMS. TEARDOWN OF MAGNETOS FOUND BOTH DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK ASSEMBLIES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND TWO CONTACTS IN EACH WERE MISSING. BOTH BREAKER POINTS WERE WORN BEYOND LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34872](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34872-1989-03-23), registration cancelled 1989-03-23, S/N 280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CULVER LFA
- Registry model: [Culver LFA](https://openairdocs.org/model/culver-lfa) (registry code 8730204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 280
- Airframe hours: 1428
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dirty Bird Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: 71M, GRADY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 846 total, 200 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 62 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 19881013045659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881013045659A), Oct 13, 1988: Supac LFA, Dumas, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine backfired in low altitude and idled prior crash. Magneto blocks corroded. Contacts missing. Worn points.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.