# NTSB SEA01LA109: Luscombe 8F, N1389B, Salem, OR, May 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2001, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Salem, OR - Coordinates: 44.900627, -123.059753 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9006&lon=-123.0598&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52414/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA109 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was tall grass in the landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the first pilot, the airplane was in a level cruise flight configuration approximately 1,300 - 1,400 feet mean sea level (MSL) when the engine suddenly lost power. After confirming the engine failure, the first pilot initiated an off-airport forced landing to an open field located approximately 2 1/2 miles from Salem, OR. He stated that he intentionally stalled the airplane just before touchdown in an effort to prevent the airplane from "… flipping on it's back in the tall grass." When the airplane touched down, the main landing gear collapsed. A representative from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure of the airframe, engine or associated components. At the conclusion of the inspection, the airplane's carburetor was shipped to the manufacture for further examination and testing. Representatives from Precision Aviation Products Corporation and the NTSB examined the airplane's carburetor. Flow bench testing and disassembly of the carburetor revealed no abnormalities with the carburetor ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2001, about 1645 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1389B, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing following a sudden loss of engine power approximately 2 1/2 miles south of McNary Field, Salem, Oregon. The airplane is owned by the second pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The first pilot, a commercial pilot/certified flight instructor, and the second pilot, a private pilot receiving instruction, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from a grass strip near Salem, Oregon, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot's planned destination was McNary Field. At the time of the engine failure, the second pilot was manipulating the controls of the airplane. Shortly after the engine failure, the first pilot assumed control of the airplane and initiated the off-airport landing. According to the first pilot, the airplane was in a level cruise flight configuration approximately 1,300 - 1,400 feet mean sea level (MSL) when the engine suddenly lost power. After confirming the engine failure, the first pilot initiated an off-airport forced landing to an open field near Salem. He stated that he intentionally stalled the airplane just before touchdown in an effort to prevent the airplane from "... flipping on it's back in the tall grass." When the airplane touched down, the main landing gear collapsed. On June 4, 2001, the aircraft wreckage was recovered by H.L.M. Air Services, Inc, and transferred to their storage facility in Independence, Oregon. On July 2, a representative from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure of the airframe, engine or associated components. At the conclusion of the inspection, the airplane's carburetor was shipped to the manufacture for further examination and testing. On June 21, 2001, representatives from Precision Aviation Products Corporation and the NTSB examined the airplane's carburetor. Flow bench testing and disassembly of the carburetor revealed no abnormalities with the carburetor. At the conclusion of the investigation, the aircraft wreckage was released to PAC Northwest, Redmond, Washington. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1389B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1389B-2002-03-18), registration cancelled 2002-03-18, S/N 6016, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8F - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6016 - Airframe hours: 2566 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mary Ann Burwell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2000, 39 hours before - Departed: Green Tree, OR - Destination: SLE, SALEM, OR - Airport: SLE, Mcnary Fld ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 14, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 10,260 total, 400 in this make and model, 9,356 as pilot in command, 384 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 226 total, 25 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: SLE, 2 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 20010531009999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010531009999A), May 31, 2001: Luscom 8F, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 31, 2001, about 1644 pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N1389B, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing following a… 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.