# NTSB WPR23LA198: Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N71983, Clovis, NM, May 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 20, 2023, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Clovis, NM - Coordinates: 34.448652, -103.07837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4487&lon=-103.0784&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 192223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA198 ## Probable cause The airplane’s uncontrollable descent and forced landing for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=8190120), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he and the pilot receiving instruction were conducting a series of touch-and-go landings and, while on the crosswind leg about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane stopped climbing and began to descend. The flight instructor stated there was not enough time to assess the engine or flight controls and he initiated a landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Both propeller blade tips were bent aft and exhibited some twisting. An examination of the airframe and engine found the right aileron cables were installed incorrectly and twisted, but any mechanical interference resulting from this was slight and likely imperceivable during preflight checks or inflight. A mechanic stated the magnetos were timed to 0°, and the engine technical specifications called for the magnetos to be timed 30°, which would have likely had a significant effect on the engine’s ability to produce power. However, the method in which the timing was checked was not established and it is unlikely the engine would have performed adequately for the airplane to have operated without the pilots recognizing there was an engine performance issue. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. It is possible the engine exhibited at least a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, but neither pilot recalled a change in engine performance and a loss of engine power was not confirmed beforeto the accident. The reason the airplane descended uncontrollably could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2023, at 0820 mountain daylight time, a Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N71983, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The fight instructor reported that they were conducting a series of touch-and-go landings at the Clovis Municipal Airport (CVN), Clovis, New Mexico. While on the crosswind leg for runway 04, about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane stopped climbing and entered a descending left turn. The flight instructor stated that rolling to the right seemed to create an out-of-trim condition that increased the rate of descent. The flight instructor stated there was not enough time to assess the engine or flight controls before he initiated a landing in a nearby field. Neither pilot reported hearing a change in engine noise or feeling any vibrations. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Both propeller blade tips were bent aft and exhibited some twisting. FAA inspectors conducted two examinations of the wreckage and a mechanic also conducted an independent postaccident examination of the airplane. The FAA inspectors reported finding no significant anomalies with the airframe, flight controls, or engine. The mechanic found that the right aileron cables were installed incorrectly and twisted, but stated any mechanical interference resulting from this was slight and likely imperceivable during preflight checks or inflight. No wear was found on the cables from the mechanical interference. No additional anomalies were noted with the flight control system. The mechanic reported both magnetos were timed to 0° before top dead center (BTDC). According to the Continental Engines engine specifications, the correct magneto timing is 30° before top center (BTC). The method in which the mechanic used to check the timing was not known. No other anomalies were found during examination of the engine. The pilot told the FAA inspectors that both magnetos operated normally during engine start and taxi, and the engine rpm dropped and increased when switched off and on. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71983](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71983), registered now, S/N 3410 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A - Registry model: [Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3410 - Airframe hours: 1835 - Engines: Continental A65 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: April 18, 2023 - Departed: PRZ, Portales, NM - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CVN, Clovis Rgnl - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2023; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 436 total, 2 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 12.5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9,000 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KCVN - METAR: KCVN 201356Z AUTO 09007KT 4SM HZ CLR 12/08 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP280 T01220083 ## 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 20230520005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230520005839A), May 20, 2023: Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, Texico, NM, Substantial damage. On may 20, 2023, at 09:30, a Luscombe L8 aircraft bearing registration number [privacy data omitted], registered to the private owner, experienced a loss of… ## Other investigations on N71983 (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 NYC81FHJ07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FHJ07), May 25, 1981: Luscombe 8A (N71983), East Moriches, NY, destroyed ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192223. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18179478&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report%20(002)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - CFI statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18179615&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%20Statement%20-%20BARG_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - mechanic examination observations (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18226877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20-%20Mechanic%20Report%20of%20Findings-Rel.pdf - FAA examination findings (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18227020&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Examination%20Notes_Email_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18229747&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR23LA198-Rel.pdf - Icing probability chart (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18178947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.