# NTSB CEN23LA143: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43272, Hillsboro, MO, March 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 25, 2023, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, MO · grass runway on owner's property - Coordinates: 38.181, -90.618 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1810&lon=-90.6180&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach to landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; 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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach, the right wing of the airplane struck the top of a tree about 40 feet above ground level. This resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control at an altitude too low to allow for recovery. The airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43272](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43272), registered now, S/N 6931, 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: 6931 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3516.4 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2022 - Departed: KFAM, Farmington, MO - Destination: Hillsboro, MO - Airport: Private strip on owner's land - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 518 total, 27 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KFAM, 27 nm away - METAR: KFAM 252256Z AUTO 30004KT 10SM CLR 16/02 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01560022 ## 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 20230325003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230325003839A), Mar 25, 2023: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Hillsboro, MO, Substantial damage. 3/27/23 Notified of accident and went to scene. PIC had self reported an accident which had occurred on 3/25/23 on his personal airstrip. PIC was on approach… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106963. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15760156&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-143_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15762174&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.