# NTSB SEA89LA084: Luscombe 8A, N2943K, Battle Mountain, NV, May 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1989, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Battle Mountain, NV
- Coordinates: 40.469741, -117.030677 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4697&lon=-117.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA084

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITION BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE WIND GUSTS ENCOUNTERED DURING LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLARE, A GUST OF WIND PICKED THE AIRCRAFT UP AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND GROUNDLOOPED. THE AIRCRAFT LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS FERRYING IT TO CALIFORNIA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2943K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2943K), registered now, S/N 5670, built 1947 (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: 5670
- Airframe hours: 1319
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack W. Bowie
- Registered owner: Jack W Bowie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: ENV, WENDOVER, UT
- Airport: BAM, Lander County, runway 3, 7,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 23 in this make and model, 231 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAM

## 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 19890513011359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890513011359A), May 13, 1989: Luscom 8A, Battle Mountain, NV, Substantial damage. Lost control trying to land in a gusty crosswind and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N2943K (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 UNK64X2549](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2549), Jun 28, 1964: Luscombe 8A (N2943K), Cushing, WI, substantial damage

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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