Luscombe 8A accident near Rexberg, Idaho, June 3, 2017
On June 3, 2017 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1946 Luscombe 8A, registered N1627K, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Rexberg, Idaho (Rexburg-Madison County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information which resulted in a landing short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2017 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rexberg, Idaho · Rexburg-Madison County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8A A, built 1946 · all 8As on the register
- Registration
- N1627K · no longer on the register · serial 4354
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was returning from a local flight when, on final approach for landing, he applied throttle with no response from the engine. The airplane landed in a field short of the runway, colliding with bushes and a fence before coming to rest in a river. After removal from the river, the airplane was subsequently flipped over by gusty winds and remained inverted for 5 days before the postaccident examination, which revealed no fuel in the wing tanks or gascolator. The amount of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident and whether fuel drained from the airplane during the time it was inverted could not be determined. No other anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 686 hours in all; 270 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 656 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 12, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,519 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 2, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,351 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RXE Rexberg ID at 3:30 pm
- Destination: RXE Rexberg ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 4,204 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KRXE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 14, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Examination Notes-email | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array-accident Site and Wreckage | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.