# NTSB MKC89LA111: Luscombe 8F, N2746K, Ramsey, MN, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Ramsey, MN
- Coordinates: 45.210025, -93.389205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2100&lon=-93.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA111

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DITCH LOCATED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHICH THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - physical impairment(motion sickness), passenger (contributing factor)
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER GIVING HIS PASSENGER HER FIRST AIRPLANE RIDE, THE PASSENGER BECAME ILL. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PAX BENT FORWARD CAUSING CONTROL INTERFERENCE IN THE SIDE BY SIDE STICK CONFIGURED ACFT. THE PLT SAID HE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND LANDED ABOUT 100 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH A SEVEN FOOT DEEP DITCH. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER INTO AN INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2746K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2746K), registered now, S/N 5473, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8F
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5473
- Airframe hours: 8014
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hillberg, Leland E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: Y25
- Airport: Y25, Gateway North, runway 16, 2,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 230 in this make and model, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC, 15 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 19890521014479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521014479A), May 21, 1989: Luscom 8F, Ramsey, MN, Substantial damage. Passenger became ill on approach to land. Bent over and restricted controls. Landed short of runway and nosed over.

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.