# NTSB SEA83LA106: Luscombe 8A, N71836, Cle Elum, WA, May 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1983, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Cle Elum, WA
- Coordinates: 47.199455, -120.899192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1995&lon=-120.8992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE WHILE FLYING LOW OVER A RIVER. REPORTEDLY THE STUDENT PILOT WAS BUZZING SOME RAFTERSON THE YAKIMA RIVER WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE ABOUT 25 FEET AGL. THE POWERLINE WAS DOWNED BY THE IMPACT AND THE ACFT RIGHT WING WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGE. THE STUDENT PILOT THEN FLEW BACK TO BOWERS FIELD AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71836](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71836), registered now, S/N 3263, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3263
- Airframe hours: 1044
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kurtieski, Theodore T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: WA12, CLE ELUM, WA
- Destination: EIN, ELLENSBURG, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 276 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM, 40 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 19830521021279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830521021279A), May 21, 1983: Luscom 8A, Cle Elum, WA, Substantial damage. Struck wires while buzzing rafters on a river. Wires broke, aircraft was able to return to base. Lacked endorsement

## Other investigations on N71836 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA96LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA057), Feb 13, 1996: Luscombe 8A (N71836), Puyallup, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the owner's failure to comply with requirements for annual inspections of the airplane, and the debonding of the right brake lining and subsequent jamming of the lining into the right main wheel.

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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