Luscombe 8A accident near Bristol, Indiana, October 7, 1993
On October 7, 1993 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Luscombe 8A, registered N71492, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bristol, Indiana (Hatfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's abrupt maneuver (intentional swerve) and main gear collapse during the landing roll on a short grass strip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 1993 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Bristol, Indiana · Hatfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N71492 · registry record · serial 2919
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED HE SIDE SLIPPED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THEN MADE A WHEEL LANDING. DURING ROLLOUT THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY RAISED THE RIGHT WING TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP TOWARDS THE AIRPORT BUILDINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED HE FELT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIP INWARDS SO HE STRAIGHTENED OUT THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FEET OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY IN A CORN FIELD, WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT STATED HE LANDED TO THE NORTHEAST (UPHILL) ON THE 800 FOOT LONG GRASS STRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE OUT OF 240 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, AND THE RUNWAY CONDITION WAS 'DAMP, FRESH CUT.'
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: 541 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 433 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,606 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 21, 1993; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C03 Nappanee IN at 2:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 800 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.