Luscombe 8A accident near Des Moines, IA
On November 3, 2000, a Luscombe 8A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Des Moines, IA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 3, 2000
- Place
- Des Moines, IA
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.530°N, 93.661°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22262
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 3, 2000, at 1647 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N71134, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed when during an approach to land on runway 31R (9,001 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt) at the Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Des Moines, Iowa, it departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain. A post crash fire ensued. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated at Des Moines, Iowa, at an unknown time. At 1641, N71134 contacted DSM Approach Control. The east controller informed the pilot that the current winds at Des Moines were 280 degrees at 3 knots, to expect runway 31L, and maintain 2,500 feet mean sea level. At 1642, the east controller told N71134 to turn 15 degrees left. The pilot acknowledged with "turn fifteen degrees left." The controller asked if the pilot had the airport in sight. The pilot responded, "airport in sight." The controller then told the pilot to fly inbound on the extended centerline for runway 23 until turning on to the left downwind for runway 31L. At 1644, N71134 contacted DSM Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). DSM ATCT instructed the pilot to turn left on downwind for runway 31L at mid-field. At 1646, the pilot asked the tower controller if there was any chance that he could land on runway 31R. The tower controller told the pilot to keep it (the turn) tight, and asked the pilot if he could turn base
Probable cause
The pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the final turn, and the pilot's improper decision to fly the tight pattern to the closer runway. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's inadequate distance/altitude in the traffic pattern and the stall.
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Browse: Iowa · Luscombe aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
