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NTSB Report
September 5, 1986 · Luscombe 8C · N39068
Lavonia, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Lavonia, GA
Aircraft
Luscombe 8C
Tail Number
N39068
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA242
THE PILOT HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BRAIN TUMOR AND WAS TAKING 300 MG OF DILANTIN DAILY FOR THE GILOMA. HE SUFFERED A GRAND MAL SEIZURE ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HIS MOTHER STATED THAT THE PILOT TOLD HER DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION THAT HE HAD TAKEN HIS MORNING DOSAGE OF DILANTIN PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR MORGANTON, NC. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WOODED AREA IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THERE WERE SEVERAL FRESHLY CUT TREE BRANCHES ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE AND WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE EXACT DEVELOPMENT OF THE GILOMA WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE AUTOPSY. FAR PART 61.53 STATES THAT NO PERSON MAY ACT AS PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE HE HAS A KNOWN MEDICAL DEFICIENCY, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HELD ARE NOT MET.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BRAIN TUMOR AND WAS TAKING 300 MG OF DILANTIN DAILY FOR THE GILOMA. HE SUFFERED A GRAND MAL SEIZURE ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HIS MOTHER STATED THAT THE PILOT TOLD HER DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION THAT HE HAD TAKEN HIS MORNING DOSAGE OF DILANTIN PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR MORGANTON, NC. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WOODED AREA IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THERE WERE SEVERAL FRESHLY CUT TREE BRANCHES ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE AND WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE EXACT DEVELOPMENT OF THE GILOMA WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE AUTOPSY. FAR PART 61.53 STATES THAT NO PERSON MAY ACT AS PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE HE HAS A KNOWN MEDICAL DEFICIENCY, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HELD ARE NOT MET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:56 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLuscombe 8C
Tail NumberN39068
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-75 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT