Luscombe Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 433 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

433

All Events

258

Incidents

82

Minor

41

Serious

52

Fatal (76 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 12, 2024 South Lake Tahoe, CA N37081 Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 18, 2021 Comstock, TX N2054B Fatal (1) destroyed Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Feb 28, 2021 Jupiter, FL N2960K Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident…

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, resulting in an unsecured engine cowl that likely distracted the pilot during takeoff.

Feb 12, 2020 Pacific Ocean, OR N77875 Fatal (1) destroyed Undetermined because the airplane and pilot were not located.
Jul 04, 2017 Remsen, NY N45851 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an…

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for him to recover.

Apr 18, 2017 East Windsor, CT N8554Y Fatal (2) substantial
The flying pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane at a slow airspeed, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and an aerod…

The flying pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane at a slow airspeed, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilots' operation of the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight.

Mar 20, 2017 Vicksburg, MI N2007B Fatal (1) The pilot's inadvertent contact with the propeller while hand propping the engine, which resulted in a fatal injury.
Dec 31, 2016 McKinney, TX N2889K Fatal (3) destroyed
The other pilot's use of an alternate traffic pattern entry procedure, which resulted in his inability to see and avoid the airplane, which was flying…

The other pilot's use of an alternate traffic pattern entry procedure, which resulted in his inability to see and avoid the airplane, which was flying the preferred traffic pattern, and the subsequent midair collision.

Jan 16, 2015 Fort Valley, GA N1745K Fatal (1) substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed during an approach with a simulated engine failure, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s…

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed during an approach with a simulated engine failure, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.

Oct 14, 2013 Buenos Aires, AR LV-RTS Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 03, 2013 Oceano, CA N45923 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and his improper decision to begin a low-level maneuver at an altitude that was not sufficient for re…

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and his improper decision to begin a low-level maneuver at an altitude that was not sufficient for recovery before ground impact. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from marijuana use.

Oct 08, 2011 Dixie, GA N41907 Fatal (1) substantial
Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the No. 2 cylinder’s connecting rod, which resulted in the disconnection of the rod and a subsequent …

Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the No. 2 cylinder’s connecting rod, which resulted in the disconnection of the rod and a subsequent loss of engine power.

Aug 18, 2011 Lincoln, CA N45725 Fatal (1) The passenger's accidental fall while turning the propeller by hand to start the engine.
Jun 26, 2011 Farmdale, OH N71687 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's decision to initiate an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that did not allow for full recovery of the airplane before ground impact.
Nov 01, 2010 Schaumburg, IL N71823 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot did not maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the…

The pilot did not maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to the unlocked engine primer.

Mar 05, 2010 Savannah, GA N45976 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and inadvertent stall after takeoff.
Jul 25, 2009 Mount Carmel, IL N37080 Fatal (1) substantial The reason for this accident was not determined.
Sep 03, 2006 Ocala, FL N71927 Fatal (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb.
Oct 03, 2003 Orange City, IA N1909K Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance from the trees while manuevering at a low altitude. A factor was the trees.
May 17, 2002 Olar, SC N71344 Fatal (2) destroyed The in-flight separation of the elevator push-pull control tube that resulted in a loss of flight control and subsequent collision with the ground.
Jul 12, 2001 Resaca, GA N71917 Fatal (2) substantial
The certificated flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a turning maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and…

The certificated flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a turning maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain. A factor was the loading of the airplane over maximum gross weight.

Nov 03, 2000 Des Moines, IA N71134 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the final turn, and the pilot's improper decision to fly the tight pattern to the closer runway. Fa…

The pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the final turn, and the pilot's improper decision to fly the tight pattern to the closer runway. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's inadequate distance/altitude in the traffic pattern and the stall.

Dec 25, 1999 ORLEANS, NE N1363K Fatal (1) substantial the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line. The power line was a factor.
Sep 27, 1997 BROOKLYN, MI N1269K Fatal (1) destroyed
failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the transmission wires (inadequate visual lookout, and failing to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance fro…

failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the transmission wires (inadequate visual lookout, and failing to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from the obstruction).

Oct 15, 1995 PICAYUNE, MS N71590 Fatal (2) substantial
a worn left magneto distributor gear, which resulted in a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted…

a worn left magneto distributor gear, which resulted in a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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