# NTSB SEA92LA188: Luscombe 8A, N71183, Snoqualmie, WA, August 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1992, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Snoqualmie, WA
- Coordinates: 47.420543, -121.369323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4205&lon=-121.3693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S NOT MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF INCAPACITATION RESULTING FROM BOTH HYPOGLYCEMIA/DIET AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(hypoglycemia/diet), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRSTRIP TO THE WEST INTENDING TO FLY ONLY 3 TO 5 MINUTES. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TAKEOFF HE BLACKED OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A RIGHT SPIRAL UNTIL IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE PILOT, WHO WAS TAKING A BLOOD GLUCOSE LOWERING MEDICATION (GLUCOTROL) FOR A MILD DIABETIC CONDITION, HAD JUST EATEN A LARGE BREAKFAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71183](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71183-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 2610, 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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2610
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: The Aviators
- Registered owner: Piper, Brian J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: WA04
- Destination: WA04
- Airport: WA04, Bandera State Airport, runway 26, 2,342 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 4 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMP, 10 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 19920824032839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920824032839A), Aug 24, 1992: Luscom 8A, Snoquamie Pass, WA, Destroyed. Spiralled to ground shortly after departure. Pilot reported he blacked out. Had diabetes and improper breakfast.

## Other investigations on N71183 (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 LAX65F0038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX65F0038), Mar 30, 1965: Luscombe 8A (N71183), Quartz Hill, 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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