# NTSB CHI87DER12: Taylorcraft F21A, N2006L, Int'L Falls, MN, July 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Int'L Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 48.579227, -93.400962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5792&lon=-93.4010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DER12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DER12

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER HIGH TERRAIN AND TREES. WHEN IT BECAME OBVIOUS TO THE PILOT THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CLIMB OVER THESE OBSTACLES, HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN AWAY FROM LARGE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ONE TREE AND THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2006L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2006L), registered now, S/N F-1500, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT F21A
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft F-21A](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f-21a) (registry code 8850907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F-1500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-62C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Delano Dean Skeim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 54 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,680 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INL, 80 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 19870710070319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710070319A), Jul 10, 1987: Tcrafk F21, Intl Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Hit a strong down draft taking off in a float plane. Unable to climb. Crashed into trees on edge of lake.

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.