# NTSB CHI00LA205: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5080M, Decatur, MI, July 18, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2000, 21:00 local (Jul 18, 2000, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Decatur, MI - Coordinates: 42.099529, -85.970024 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0995&lon=-85.9700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49744/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA205 ## Probable cause the left main landing gear brake was locked during landing. A factor associated with the accident was the uneven terrain on which the landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane nosed over on landing at a private, grass airstrip. The pilot reported that just after touchdown, the airplane suddenly nosed over. He reported that after the accident, he noted a long skid mark in the grass from the left main gear that lead up to the point where the airplane nosed over. Investigation revealed the grass airstrip contained bare areas where the grass had died. The tire marks in the grass showed the airplane was sliding during the landing roll and it nosed over when it contacted one of the bare areas. The left main wheel brake was found locked up after the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2000, at 2100 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5080M, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over following a landing at a private airstrip near Decatur, Michigan. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed the private airstrip at 2000 edt, for the local flight. The pilot reported that he was returning to his private airstrip following a local flight. He reported that he flew over the field to check the winds, which were indicating calm. The pilot stated he landed to the south and after he touched down the airplane suddenly nosed over. He reported that after the accident, he noted a long skid mark in the grass from the left main gear that lead up to the point where the airplane nosed over. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Grand Rapids, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane and accident site. The inspector reported that the grass airstrip contained bare areas where the grass had died. He reported that tire marks in the grass showed the airplane was sliding during the landing roll and it nosed over when it contacted one of the bare areas. The inspector also stated that the left main wheel brake was locked up when he inspected the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5080M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5080M-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 10380, 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: 10380 - Airframe hours: 1748 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric O Richardson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2000, 8 hours before - Departed: PVT - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 18, 1,300 × 140 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 312 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## Other investigations on N5080M (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 ERA11CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA453), Aug 13, 2011: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N5080M), West Liberty, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. 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.