# NTSB ATL91LA107: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96743, Spring Creek, NC, June 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1991, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Spring Creek, NC
- Coordinates: 35.799232, -82.879882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7992&lon=-82.8799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA107

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS AND TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND, OBSTRUCTIONS, AND TERRAIN CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS HIS THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF,  HE INITIATED A TURN TO AVOID SOME POWER LINES AND A HILL. HE DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE AIRPLANE MUSHED INTO A NEARBY HAY FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE SHIFTING AT THE TIME, AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A TAILWIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96743](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96743-1993-08-24), registration cancelled 1993-08-24, S/N 9043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9043
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ackley, Bruce H.
- Registered owner: Ackley, Bruce H.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 239 total, 200 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910605021789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910605021789A), Jun 5, 1991: Tcraft BC12D, Spring Creek, NC, Substantial damage. Shifting wind on takeoff from farm field. Turned to avoid wires and stalled mushed into a hay field.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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