# NTSB CHI03CA022: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5066M, Albion, MI, November 17, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 17, 2002, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Albion, MI - Coordinates: 42.266666, -84.716667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2667&lon=-84.7167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03CA022 ## Probable cause A failure by the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the resulting stall/spin, the relatively low altitude and the soft terrain encountered. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported making several patterns in the local area at 500~800 feet agl. After the last pass, the pilot stated that he entered a left turn and inadvertently stalled the airplane. As the airplane began to enter a spin, he notes that he "took corrective action to regain control of the aircraft.". Although he reported recovering from the stall/spin, he was unable to arrest the resulting descent. The airplane impacted a soft, muddy field in a relatively level attitude. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 2002, at 1545 eastern standard time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5066M, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an inadvertant stall/spin while maneuvering. The accident occurred approximately 2 miles east of Albion, Michigan. The local flight originated at 1530 est from a private airstrip, located approximately 3 miles northeast of Albion, Michigan. The flight was being conducted under 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 and the single passenger on-board reported no injuries. In his written statement, the pilot reported making several patterns in the local area at altitudes of 500 to 800 feet agl for the purpose of spotting deer. After the last pass, which was approximately 500 feet agl, the pilot stated that he entered a left turn and inadvertently stalled the airplane. As the airplane began to enter a spin, he notes that he "took corrective action to regain control of the aircraft." Although the pilot reported recovering from the stall/spin, he was unable to arrest the resulting descent. He stated "As I leveled out the plane from the spin, we went into the thick brush." The airplane impacted a soft, muddy area in a relatively level attitude and slid approximately 20 feet before coming to a rest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5066M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5066M-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 10366, 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: 10366 - Airframe hours: 2665 - Engines: Continental A&C 65 Series 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2002, 26 hours before - Departed: N/A, Albion, MI - Airport: --- ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 476 total, 442 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: JXN, 11 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 20021117033699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021117033699A), Nov 17, 2002: Tcraft BC12D, Concordtownship, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) While spotting deer for a friend, Mr. Anderson had been flying rectanular pattern over corn field at 300-400 ft altitude. When attempting to make left… ## Other investigations on N5066M (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 UNK65X1040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1040), Dec 18, 1964: Taylorcraft BC12D (N5066M), Charlotte, MI, substantial damage 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.