Luscombe 8A accident near El Cajon, California, October 26, 1996
On October 26, 1996 at about 11:55 pm local time, a Luscombe 8A, registered N71643, was substantially damaged in an accident near El Cajon, California (Gillespie Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
unfavorable weather condition(s), which caused the aircraft to descend at a rate that exceeded its climb capability.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 1996 · about 11:55 pm local time
- Place
- El Cajon, California · Gillespie Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N71643 · registry record · serial 3070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During climb out after a touch-and-go landing on runway 27L, the pilot observed a dust devil and debris blowing across the departure end of the runway. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the aircraft's wings rocked similar to a wake turbulence encounter. The aircraft started descending at about 500 feet per minute although full throttle was applied and the aircraft was reportedly at best climb speed. The pilot tried to maneuver for a landing on the parallel runway (9L), but collided with terrain in an open dirt area about 500 feet short of the runway threshold. He estimated no more than 10 seconds elapsed from the time he felt the wings rock until he was on the ground. He added that there was no mechanical problem with the aircraft. Tower personnel reported that there had been freak wind gusts up to 50 knots that lasted 2 to 3 minutes, followed by calm wind conditions.
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: 1,200 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SEE at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27L, 2,737 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°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.