Luscombe 8A accident near Dimock, South Dakota, August 18, 1988
On August 18, 1988, a Luscombe 8A, registered N71572, was destroyed in an accident near Dimock, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 18, 1988
- Place
- Dimock, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N71572 · no longer on the register · serial 2999
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT WAS GIVING AIRPLANE RIDES TO SOME NEIGHBORS FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF WITH A NEW PAX. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE GROUND AFTER LIFTOFF, AND THEN THE ACFT CLIMBED QUICKLY. THE ACFT THEN BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT DURING WHICH TIME THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HIGHER HORSEPOWER ENG THEN AUTHORIZED FOR THIS MODEL ACFT. THIS LARGER HORSEPOWER ENG REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS, I.E., ADDITION OF A ENG OPERATED FUEL PUMP AND A WOBBLE PUMP OR INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD FUEL TANKS. THE PURPOSE OF THE MODIFICATIONS WAS TO INSURE ADEQUATE FUEL FLOW AND HEAD PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE. THESE MODIFICATIONS WERE NOT MADE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK BEHIND THE SEATS AND INSIDE OF THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTY, RESTRICTING FUEL FLOW.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 458 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 269 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,196 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 18, 1988; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-75-9 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.