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NTSB Report
September 24, 1994 · Luscombe 8A · N71245
Byers, CO
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Byers, CO
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N71245
Operator
Hough Howard A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA313
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN APPROACH TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHED A HIGH SINK RATE ON FINAL AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A DITCH. THE PILOT HAD LESS THAN ONE HOUR OF EXPERIENCE IN MAKE, MODEL, AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING APPROACH TO LANDING. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MAKE, MODEL, AND TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
On September 24, 1994, at 1200 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N71245, sustained substantial damage when it landed short of the runway at a private airstrip near Byers, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he got into a high sink rate condition on short final. The aircraft landed short and collided with a drainage ditch. Weather at the time of the accident was clear with winds out of the north at 7 knots. The density altitude was 7,000 feet. From information provided by the pilot, this was his first flight in this type aircraft and he had accumulated less than one hour in make and model.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MDT
Nearest AirportSky Haven (Private) (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN71245
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHough Howard A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC