Luscombe 8A accident near Sebewaing, Michigan, June 30, 1989
On June 30, 1989 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Luscombe 8A, registered N2154K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sebewaing, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PILOT'S INATTENTIVE AIRCRAFT HANDLING WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO DETECT AND PREVENT THE AIRCRAFT'S DESCENT INTO THE WHEAT FIELD.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 1989 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sebewaing, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N2154K · no longer on the register · serial 4881
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT WITH HIS GRANDSON, THE 64 YEAR OLD PILOT FLEW LOW OVER A WHEAT FIELD TO CHECK OUT THE CROP. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND LOW ENOUGH FOR THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TO GET CAUGHT IN THE TOP OF THE WHEAT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THE POINT OF INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE WHEAT, AND NOSED OVER, COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 936 hours in all; 936 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 936 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,209 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 24, 1988; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 am from MBS, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.