# NTSB ATL91LA167: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N43LT, Calhoun, GA, September 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1991, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Calhoun, GA
- Coordinates: 34.490997, -84.939659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4910&lon=-84.9397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA167

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT.  FACTOR(S) IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AT TOUCHDOWN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING A NORMAL, VFR APPROACH FOR LANDING.  THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN FAST, AND BOUNCED.  SOME DRIFT WAS ENCOUNTERED, AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND.  HE DID NOT CORRECT FOR THE WIND DRIFT, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ADJACENT TREES.  THE AIRPLANE THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE-LOW ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT HAD FLOWN ONLY 3 HOURS IN THIS MODEL OF AIRPLANE.  NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE REPORTED, AND NONE WERE FOUND DURING THE POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43LT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43LT-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 5010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5010
- Airframe hours: 2691
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adams, Kenneth R.
- Registered owner: Adams, Kenneth R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1991, 40 hours before
- Departed: 6AO, CARTERSVILLE, GA
- Airport: NONE, Mercer, runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 203 total, 3 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 37 nm away

## 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 19910901037359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910901037359A), Sep 1, 1991: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Calhoun, GA, Substantial damage. Landed fast lifted off but failed to keep runway alignment and left wing struck trees.

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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