Luscombe 8F N1918B

Summary

On 11 October 2003 at about 15:00 local time, a Luscombe 8F registered N1918B was involved in an accident near Murrieta, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 October 2003 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Murrieta, California, United States

Nearest airport

French Valley (F70)

Coordinates

33.5761, -117.1281

Aircraft

Luscombe 8F

Registration

N1918B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Murrieta → Phoenix

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA009

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Fog and rising terrain were contributing factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with terrain just after departure. The pilot's friend had departed and reported clear weather conditions. As the pilot departed, a fog bank closed in. The pilot turned to the right in an attempt to land. During the turn, he saw a hill. He added power and attempted to avoid the hill, but the airplane impacted the hillside. Dense fog conditions were present during the time of the accident, and the pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departure. There were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.