# NTSB OAK76AP052: Luscombe 8A, N2718K, Watsonville, CA, May 3, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1976
- Place: Watsonville, CA · WATSONVILLE, CA
- Location: 36.9236° N, 121.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watsonville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9236&lon=-121.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK76AP052
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76AP052

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1582   76/5/3    WATSONVILLE,CA      LUSCOMBE 8A         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             PRIVATE, AGE 17, 155
        TIME - 1940                    N2718K              PX-  0  0  0  CHECK                     TOTAL HOURS, 112 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WATSONVILLE MUNI.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATSONVILLE,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CARBON DEPOSITS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- PLT BEING CHECKED OUT IN UNFAMILIAR ACFT.ON L MAG,1 PLUG INOP.ATTMPTD TO RET TO RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2718K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2718K-1977-07-08), registration cancelled 1977-07-08, S/N 5445, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Watsonville Muni.

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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