# NTSB CEN12LA012: Taylorcraft BL-65, N27492, Easton, MO, October 8, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 2011, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Easton, MO - Coordinates: 39.719177, -94.629837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7192&lon=-94.6298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Kansas City Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 82034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82034/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82034 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA012 ## Probable cause Debris in the fuel system, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the pilot not maintaining sufficient airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) - [Training: recurrent instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/cases.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BL-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8850350), [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 BL-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850350), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The engine began to lose power during the initial climb after takeoff. The pilot elected to remain in the traffic pattern and return for landing; however, the engine subsequently lost power completely. The pilot prepared for a forced landing, but the airplane stalled about 20 feet above the ground and impacted a field. A postaccident examination revealed sufficient debris in the fuel system to restrict fuel flow to the carburetor. In addition, debris was observed in the individual gas containers used to fuel the airplane. The pilot reported that he used automotive gasoline and fueled the airplane from individual cans stored on site. Airplane maintenance records indicated that the most recent annual inspection was completed in June 2005. Regulations require an inspection to be completed within the preceding 12 calendar months. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 2011, about 1810 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BL-65 airplane, N27492, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private airstrip near Easton, Missouri. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The ferry flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Rosecrans Memorial Airport (STJ), St. Joseph, Missouri. The pilot stated that he was planning to ferry the airplane to STJ in order to complete the annual inspection. He noted that the airplane had been inactive for some time. The inspection had been partially completed in June; however, potential flooding at that airport prompted him to use his private airstrip for safe storage. He commented that the airplane fuel system had been serviced. The annual inspection was incomplete and, therefore, not signed off at that time. The pilot reported that all preflight checks including the engine run-up were normal. He stated that he departed his private north-south oriented turf runway to the south, and initiated a right turn when the engine began to lose power. He elected to return for landing and continued the right turn to a north heading. As he initiated a turn from downwind to base leg in the traffic pattern, the engine lost power completely. He prepared for a forced landing to a soybean field; however, the airplane inadvertently stalled about 20 feet above ground level. The right wing and nose dropped, and the airplane impacted the field. The airplane came to rest approximately 700 feet north of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed sufficient debris in the fuel system to restrict fuel flow to the carburetor. Specifically, when the fuel line into the carburetor was disconnected, fuel did not flow through the line. Debris was present in the carburetor bowl. In addition, debris was observed in the individual gas containers used to fuel the airplane. The pilot reported that he used automotive gasoline and fueled the airplane from individual cans stored on site. Airplane maintenance records indicated that the most recent annual inspection was completed in June 2005. Regulations require an inspection to be completed within the preceding 12 calendar months. The pilot stated that he was uninformed of the proper procedure to obtain a ferry permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA inspector assigned to the accident reported that a ferry permit had not been issued for the accident flight. According to the pilot's logbook, his most recent flight review was completed in June 2006. Regulations require that a flight review be completed within the preceding 24 calendar months in order to act as pilot-in-command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27492](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27492), registered now, S/N 2134 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2134 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: LYCOMING O-145B SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 471 hours before - Departed: PVT, Easton, MO - Destination: STJ, St Joseph, MO - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 18, 1,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 669 total, 503 in this make and model, 623 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: STJ, 13 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 20111008024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111008024219A), Oct 8, 2011: Taylorcraft BL-65, Easton, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot departed his north/south oriented private grass strip to the south and began a right turn to the west, at which time the engine began to lose power… ## Other investigations on N27492 (2) 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 MKC85LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA187), Aug 13, 1985: Taylorcraft BL-65 (N27492), Ottumwa, IA, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC73FCG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FCG42), May 23, 1973: Taylorcraft BL-65 (N27492), Leavenworth, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82034. 1.2 MB in all. - Accident Site Diagram (item 1, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Airframe Logbook -- Excerpts (item 4, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Engine Logbook -- Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Logbook -- Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.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.