Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A accident near Clovis, New Mexico, May 20, 2023
On May 20, 2023 at about 2:20 pm local time, a Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, registered N71983, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Clovis, New Mexico (Clovis Rgnl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s uncontrollable descent and forced landing for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2023 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Clovis, New Mexico · Clovis Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A · all LUSCOMBE 8As on the register
- Registration
- N71983 · registry record · serial 3410
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that he and the pilot receiving instruction were conducting a series of touch-and-go landings and, while on the crosswind leg about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane stopped climbing and began to descend. The flight instructor stated there was not enough time to assess the engine or flight controls and he initiated a landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Both propeller blade tips were bent aft and exhibited some twisting. An examination of the airframe and engine found the right aileron cables were installed incorrectly and twisted, but any mechanical interference resulting from this was slight and likely imperceivable during preflight checks or inflight. A mechanic stated the magnetos were timed to 0°, and the engine technical specifications called for the magnetos to be timed 30°, which would have likely had a significant effect on the engine’s ability to produce power. However, the method in which the timing was checked was not established and it is unlikely the engine would have performed adequately for the airplane to have operated without the pilots recognizing there was an engine performance issue. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. It is possible the engine exhibited at least a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, but neither pilot recalled a change in engine performance and a loss of engine power was not confirmed beforeto the accident. The reason the airplane descended uncontrollably could not be determined based on the available evidence.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 436 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 12.5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 311 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 2, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 50 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,835 hours
- Last inspection: type not recorded, April 18, 2023
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65 (piston); 540 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRZ Portales NM at 1:49 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 am from KCVN
Weather report (METAR): KCVN 201356Z AUTO 09007KT 4SM HZ CLR 12/08 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP280 T01220083
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR23LA198.