# NTSB CHI82DA217: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96054, La Porte, IN, June 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1982, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: La Porte, IN
- Location: 41.6109° N, 86.7148° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Porte, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6109&lon=-86.7148&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA217

## 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)
  - motivation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN TO THE AIRPORT TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES OF A CONTEST THAT INCLUDED SPOT LANDINGS AND BALLOON BUSTING. HE STATED THAT ON HIS THIRD PASS OF A BALLOON BUSTING CONTEST, HE TURNED TOO TIGHT, TOO SLOW, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE PILOT STATED HE RECOVERED FROM THE STALL, BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE TO AVOID A HANGAR. THE PLANE WAS CLIMBING WITH FULL POWER WHEN IT STRUCK THE HANGAR ROOF. THE HANGAR ROOF AND TWO NEARBY PARKED AUTOMOBILES WERE DAMAGED DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96054](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96054-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 8354, 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: 4372668
- Airframe hours: 819
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Arthur W. Babaganian
- Registered owner: Arthur W. Babaganian
- Departed: 3LP, LA PORTE, IN
- Destination: 3LP, LA PORTE, IN
- Airport: 3LP, La Porte Municipal, runway 22, 3,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 426 total, 426 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F

## 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 19820619024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820619024219A), Jun 19, 1982: Tcraft BC12D, La Porte, IN, Substantial damage. During a balloon bust contest, pilot stalled aircraft at low altitude and crashed into hanger before recovery.

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.

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