Luscombe 8D accident near Clarrisa, Minnesota, October 11, 2010
On October 11, 2010 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Luscombe 8D, registered N72060, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Clarrisa, Minnesota (Clarissa Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 2010 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Clarrisa, Minnesota · Clarissa Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8D · all 8Ds on the register
- Registration
- N72060 · no longer on the register · serial 3487
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing proficiency maneuvers near the destination airport when the airplane engine power went to idle. The pilot was unable to restore engine power above idle and elected to perform a forced landing on a field. The on-scene inspection of the airplane did not identify any anomalies that would have resulted in the loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 923 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 867 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,523.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 24, 2010
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-75-8-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 14Y Long Prarie MN at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 8Y5 Clarrisa MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from SAZ, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N72060 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.