# NTSB NYC85LA058: Luscombe 8A, N1907B, Silver Lake, ME, January 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Silver Lake, ME
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND WHILE MANEUVERING DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOLLOWING A SHORT TAKEOFF GROUND RUN AND UPON REACHING TREE TOP LEVEL, THE PLT REPORTED, 'WE JUST MUSHED ALONG.' THE PLT DETERMINED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES ALONG THE FLT PATH AND HE INITIATED TWO RIGHT TURNS TOWARD AN AREA OF LOWER OBSTRUCTIONS. THE ACFT STALLED DURING THE SECOND TURN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND JUST PRIOR TO A FULL RECOVERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1907B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1907B), registered now, S/N 6334 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6334
- Airframe hours: 1376
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas C. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 21, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 50 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °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 19850130001379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850130001379A), Jan 30, 1985: Luscom 8A, Silver Lake, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft on skis would not climb after lift off. During turn to avoid trees aircraft stalled into ground.

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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