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NTSB Report
July 10, 1989 · Luscombe 8A · N77969
Napa, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Napa, CA
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N77969
Operator
Richard a Bryson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA335
ON THE EVENING OF 7/9/89 THE PILOT TELEPHONED FRIENDS. HE WAS REPORTED TO BE DESPONDENT, INDICATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO KILL HIMSELF, AND STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CRASH HIS AIRCRAFT IN THE CENTER OF LAKE BERRYESSA SO AS TO NOT HURT ANYONE. THE PILOT AND HIS AIRCRAFT WERE REPORTED MISSING ON 7/10/89. A SUICIDE LETTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND IN HIS RESIDENCE. THE WRECKAGE AND PILOT WERE FOUND 10/8/91 IN 45 FT OF WATER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE LAKE.
Full Narrative
ON THE EVENING OF 7/9/89 THE PILOT TELEPHONED FRIENDS. HE WAS REPORTED TO BE DESPONDENT, INDICATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO KILL HIMSELF, AND STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CRASH HIS AIRCRAFT IN THE CENTER OF LAKE BERRYESSA SO AS TO NOT HURT ANYONE. THE PILOT AND HIS AIRCRAFT WERE REPORTED MISSING ON 7/10/89. A SUICIDE LETTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND IN HIS RESIDENCE. THE WRECKAGE AND PILOT WERE FOUND 10/8/91 IN 45 FT OF WATER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE LAKE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN77969
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichard a Bryson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT