# NTSB BFO89LA077: Taylorcraft BC-65, N24463, Leonardtown, MD, August 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Leonardtown, MD
- Coordinates: 38.289997, -76.639434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2900&lon=-76.6394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA077

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT BY NOT ASSURING THAT THE ACFT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, OR THAT SOMEONE WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHILE HE WAS HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - throttle/power lever,cable (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - not used, pilot in command
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)

## Analysis

TO START THE ENG, THE PLT CHOCKED THE LEFT WHEEL & HAND PROPPED THE ACFT WITH THE THROTTLE SET AT IDLE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ENG STARTED, ITS RPM WENT ABOVE IDLE & THE ACFT JUMPED THE CHOCK. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT & A RWY LIGHT BEFORE THE PLT CAUGHT THE PLANE & SHUT DOWN THE ENG. HE HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE ENG EARLIER THAT DAY & HAD IMPROPERLY SECURED THE THROTTLE CLAMP, WHICH ALLOWED THE THROTTLE CABLE TO SLIP TO A HIGHER RPM SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24463](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24463), registered now, S/N 1800, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc-65) (registry code 8850306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1800
- Airframe hours: 1103
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Loftus
- Registered owner: John F Loftus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1989, 17 hours before
- Departed: 2W6
- Airport: 2W6, St Marys County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 308 total, 33 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890827031739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827031739A), Aug 27, 1989: Tcraft BCS65, Leonardtown, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft jumped chock and struck a parked aircraft after pilot had propped the engine.

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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