# NTSB CEN09CA344: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43524, Murray, IA, June 6, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 5, 2009, 20:00 local (Jun 6, 2009, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Murray, IA
- Coordinates: 40.998054, -93.95639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9981&lon=-93.9564&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73992/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73992
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA344

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

In his written statement the pilot wrote that he has no recollection of the events on the day of the accident. During a telephone interview he stated that he and the passenger went flying to survey farm land and cattle. He stated that they were flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet and would descend to 500 feet to look at fences. The only recollection the passenger has is that they circled his house a couple times then turned to the west. The accident occurred approximately 600 feet west of the passenger’s property. One witness reported that the airplane made several turns then headed west at an altitude of about 75 feet above the ground prior to it veering right and descending to the ground. Another witness reported the airplane flew right over her car prior to flying back and forth over a field. She stated that the airplane then made a “nose dive straight into the ground.” The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. Inspection of the wreckage failed to reveal any preimpact failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

In his written statement the pilot wrote that he has no recollection of the events on the day of the accident. During a telephone interview he stated that he and the passenger went flying to survey farm land and cattle. He stated they were flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet and would descend to 500 feet to look at fences. The only recall the passenger has is that they circled his house a couple times then turned to the west. The accident occurred approximately 600 feet west of the passenger’s property. One witness reported the airplane made several turns then headed west at an altitude of about 75 feet above the ground prior to it veering right and descending to the ground. Another witness reported the airplane flew right over her car prior to flying back and forth over a field. She stated the airplane then made a “nose dive straight into the ground.” The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Inspection of the wreckage failed to reveal any preimpact failure/malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43524-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 7183, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7183
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kmh Enterprise LLC
- Registered owner: Kmh Enterprise LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Afton, IA
- Destination: Afton, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 120 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 36 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 20090606014859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090606014859A), Jun 6, 2009: Tcraft BC12D, Murray, IA, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft flying over a field surveying crops, the pilot lost control, stalled the aircraft and impacted the ground in a right wing low attitude.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73992. 690 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Interviews and Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interviews%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.