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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 12, 2020 · Luscombe 8 A · N77875

Pacific Ocean, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pacific Ocean, OR
Aircraft
Luscombe 8 A (1946)
Tail Number
N77875
Operator
Mark L Morantes
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
WPR20FAMS2

The pilot was reported missing after he had not returned from a presumed cross-county flight. A multi-agency search for the missing pilot and airplane was conducted; however, neither the pilot, airplane, nor wreckage debris was located. Radar data believed to represent the missing airplane showed a westerly track over the Pacific Ocean. The last know radar position was about 57 miles west of the shoreline.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

Full Narrative

On February 12, 2020, about 1659 Pacific standard time, a Luscombe 8A airplane, N77875, was presumed destroyed when it went missing over the Pacific Ocean. The pilot has not been located. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Columbia Gorge Regional Airport (KDLS), The Dalles Port, Washington, about 1600 en route to an unknown destination. No flight plan was filed. On February 14, 2020, approximately 1205, a family member reported the pilot and airplane missing. Later that day, a Federal Aviation Administration Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued and a search for the missing pilot and airplane commenced. The search was conducted by the Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard, Klickitat County Sheriff's Office and Lane County Sheriff's Office. Representatives from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office reported that the airplane’s last known position was over the Pacific Ocean about 57 miles west of the coastline. In a subsequent report, they stated a radar track, believed to be that of the missing airplane, showed the airplane on a westbound heading before the track ended. The last radar return was at 1659, about 57 miles west of the Oregon shoreline at 43:45:39N, 125:30:42W. A search of the area surrounding the last known position was conducted by the US Coast Guard, but neither the pilot nor debris was located. On February 15, 2020, land and sea-based searches were suspended. The missing airplane, a 1946 Luscombe 8A, was not equipped with an electrical system or transponder.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:59
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8 A
Tail NumberN77875
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMark L Morantes
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 70 · Basc · Unkn

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data