Luscombe 8E accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming, June 16, 1991
On June 16, 1991 at about 6:25 pm local time, a Luscombe 8E, registered N2587K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming (Rock Springs airport). 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
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION TO ATTEMPT FLIGHTS IN UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CODNITIONS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 1991 · about 6:25 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Wyoming · Rock Springs
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8E · all 8Es on the register
- Registration
- N2587K · registry record · serial 5314
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE FLT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY DOWNDRAFT WINDS, DUST DEVILS, VIRGA AND RAIN SHOWERS DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB TO CLEAR A RIDGELINE IN THE FLT PATH AND THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO LAND AT THE ARPT. THE FLT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS ON FINAL APPR AND THE PILOT INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN AN OPEN AREA. THE ACFT IMPACTED A DITCH ON LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RKS Rock Springs WY at 6:10 pm
- Destination: PVU Provo UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from RKS, 3 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.