# NTSB SEA89LA179: Luscombe 8A, N71756, Mackay, ID, September 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1989, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Mackay, ID
- Coordinates: 43.950523, -113.839958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9505&lon=-113.8400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA179

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT. HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SPOTTING ANTELOPE FOR A FUTURE HUNTING TRIP, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND AT THE BASE OF ONE TREE THAT INDICATED EVIDENCE OF AT LEAST TWO PROPELLER STRIKES. THE NOSE OF THE PLANE WAS BURIED APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET INTO THE GROUND WITH THE TAIL SECTION ELEVATED FIVE FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN. AS DETERMINED FROM TREE STRIKES AND THE DAMAGE TO THE LEADING EDGE WING AREA, THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. ACCIDENT SITE 8,300 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71756](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71756-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 3183 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3183
- Airframe hours: 1980
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reeves, Edwin L.
- Registered owner: Reeves, Edwin L Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 167 total, 127 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 84 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 19890924066379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890924066379A), Sep 24, 1989: Luscom 8A, Mackay, ID, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Indicates pilot stalled into trees while turning at low altitude spotting elk for proposed hunting trip.

## Other investigations on N71756 (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 MKC71DCG60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCG60), May 2, 1971: Luscombe 8A (N71756), Nevada, MO, 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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