# NTSB SEA84FA198: Luscombe 8F, N1509B, Levenworth, WA, August 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Levenworth, WA
- Coordinates: 47.810283, -120.860176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8103&lon=-120.8602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DOWNDRAFTS ENCOUNTERED AFTER TAKEOFF PREVENTED A NORMAL CLIMB AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES AT 60 TO 80 FT AGL APRX 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1509B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1509B-1994-06-29), registration cancelled 1994-06-29, S/N 6136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8F
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f) (registry code 8190114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G136
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul F. Sands
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1984, 25 hours before
- Destination: SFF, SPOKANE, WA
- Airport: WA32, Lake Wenatchee State Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 470 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 17,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 33 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 19840812040129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812040129A), Aug 12, 1984: Luscom 8F, Levenworth, WA, Destroyed. Experienced downdrafts after takeoff. Impacted trees.

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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