# NTSB SEA91LA088: Luscombe 8A, N45656, Clark Fork, ID, April 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1991, 19:45 local (Apr 19, 1991, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Clark Fork, ID
- Coordinates: 48.059131, -116.170028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0591&lon=-116.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE IN CRUISE LIGHT RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH A WIRE AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN A RIVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER A RIVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY BLEW OUT.  THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN STRUCK BY A BIRD.  THE AIRPLANE BECAME DIRECTIONALLY UNSTABLE AND THE PILOT OPTED TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE IN THE RIVER.  THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT A DOWNED WIRE THAT RAN ACROSS THE RIVER WAS FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45656](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45656-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 2183, 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&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2183
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul F. Clock
- Registered owner: Paul F. Clock
- Departed: THM, THOMPSON FALLS, MT
- Destination: S62, SILVERWOOD, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 900 total, 100 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910418011479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910418011479A), Apr 18, 1991: Luscom 8A, Clark Fork, ID, Destroyed. Collided with object in flight,broke windshield. Ditched aircraft in river,hit telephone line desending to river.

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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