# NTSB SEA91LA134: Luscombe 8E, N2587K, Rock Springs, WY, June 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 12:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, WY
- Location: 41.6139° N, 109.0135° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SOUTHWEST WYOMING RGNL (RKS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6139&lon=-109.0135&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA134

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION TO ATTEMPT FLIGHTS IN UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CODNITIONS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE FLT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY DOWNDRAFT WINDS, DUST DEVILS, VIRGA AND RAIN SHOWERS DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB TO CLEAR A RIDGELINE IN THE FLT PATH AND THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO LAND AT THE ARPT. THE FLT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS ON FINAL APPR AND THE PILOT INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN AN OPEN AREA.  THE ACFT IMPACTED A DITCH ON LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2587K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2587K), registered now, S/N 5314, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8E
- Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8e) (registry code 8190128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6) (registry code 41576, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5314
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale E. Ryder
- Registered owner: Dale E. Ryder
- Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Airport: RKS, Rock Springs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 3 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 19910616021949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910616021949A), Jun 16, 1991: Bbavia STC8, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. Was ferrying aircraft for non current new owner. Encountered severe turbulence on climbout. Elected land open area.

## Other investigations on N2587K (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 LAX69F0049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0049), Jul 8, 1968: Luscombe 8E (N2587K), Huntingtn Bch, CA, 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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