Pilot Debrief

LUSCOMBE 8A near Novato, CA — 2026-07-07

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA251
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Date
2026-07-07
Location
Novato, CA, USA
Airport
DVO
Aircraft
LUSCOMBE 8A
Registration
N45886
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On July 7, 2026, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N45886, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Novato, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. While conducting touch-and-go takeoff and landings on runway 31 at Gnoss Field (DVO), Novato, California, the engine experienced a partial loss of power during the departure climb about 600 ft above ground level. As the pilot attempted to return to the departure runway, he applied carburetor heat and the engine briefly regained power before experiencing a total loss of power. The pilot then moved the fuel selector from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank; however, he was unable to restart the engine. Subsequently, the airplane touched down in an area of soft gravel about 10 ft short of runway 13, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid about 20 ft before it came to rest upright. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings sustained substantial damage. The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Initial climb
  • Loss of Thrust on Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

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