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NTSB Report
November 1, 1986 · Luscombe 8A · N71745
Half Moon Bay, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 1, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Half Moon Bay, CA
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N71745
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA031
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND APPLIED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO DESCEND FROM 3,000 TO 2,000 FT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRICAL STARTING SYSTEM. HE LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD WITH ROUGH/SOFT SURFACE CONDITIONS COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT'S FUSELAGE. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ACFT'S ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND NO CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND APPLIED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO DESCEND FROM 3,000 TO 2,000 FT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRICAL STARTING SYSTEM. HE LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD WITH ROUGH/SOFT SURFACE CONDITIONS COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT'S FUSELAGE. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ACFT'S ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND NO CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PST
Nearest AirportHalfmoon Bay (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN71745
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC