Pilot Debrief

SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A near Clovis, NM — 2023-05-20

Final reportWPR23LA198
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Date
2023-05-20
Location
Clovis, NM, USA
Airport
CVN
Aircraft
SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A
Registration
N71983
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The airplane’s uncontrollable descent and forced landing for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Assessing engine or flight controls before initiating landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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