# NTSB CEN11CA613: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N46112, Higginsville, MO, September 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2011, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Higginsville, MO - Coordinates: 39.072498, -93.677497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0725&lon=-93.6775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA613 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81668/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81668 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA613 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and his failure to maintain clearance from trees during the attempted aborted landing. ## 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 DCO-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during landing the wind lifted the left wing of the tailwheel-equipped airplane. As the wing came back down, the airplane began to ground loop and the airplane veered toward the right side of the runway. Due to observed terrain obstructions, the pilot elected to abort the landing and applied engine power. He attempted to clear a row of trees, but the airplane struck the trees and fell to the ground. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with regard to the airplane. The airplane damage included bending of the left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing, the wind lifted the left wing of the tailwheel equipped airplane. As the wing began to come back down, a ground loop started and the airplane started to depart the right side of the runway. The pilot stated that due to observed terrain obstructions, he elected to abort the landing and applied engine power. The pilot reported that he attempted to clear a row of trees, but the airplane struck the trees and fell to the ground. The reported wind at an airport about 22 miles south of the accident site was recorded as 14 knots and 50 degrees right of runway heading. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with regard to the airplane. The airplane damage included bending of the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46112](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46112), registered now, S/N L-5572, built 1943 (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: L-5572 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: K88, Iola, KS - Destination: HIG, Higginsville, MO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: HIG, Higginsville Industrial Muni, runway 16, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total, 226 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KSZL, 22 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 20110901020669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110901020669A), Sep 1, 2011: Taylorcraft DCO-65, Higginsville, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot made a three-point landing on runway 16. After landing, he lost directional control and the aircraft started to ground loop to the right. After the… ## Other investigations on N46112 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC70D0113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0113), Aug 6, 1969: Taylorcraft L-2 (N46112), Tuckahoe, NJ, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81668. 46 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with pilot (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20pilot-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.