# NTSB CHI88LA127: Taylorcraft L-2, N57502, Three Rivers, MI, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Three Rivers, MI
- Coordinates: 41.940116, -85.629264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9401&lon=-85.6293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA127

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE OWNER OF THE ACFT STATED THAT HE RELEASED THE ACFT TO THE PIC SO THAT HE COULD 'CHECKOUT' ANOTHER PLT AND HELP HER WITH HER TAILWHEEL LANDINGS. DURING THEIR FOURTH TKOF, THE PLT BEING CHECKED OUT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. THE PIC STATED THAT HE DELAYED CORRECTING THE TKOF PROCEDURE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ACFT WAS DUE TO THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE AND WEIGHT OF THE ACFT WHICH WOULD NORMALLY DECREASE THE RATE OF CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, AT THE FIRST INDICATION OF THE STALL, HE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE ATTITUDE OF THE ACFT. THE PIC WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE WINGS BUT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57502](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57502-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N 4216, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT L-2
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Shade
- Registered owner: Robert E Shade
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, THREE RIVERS, MI
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 700 total, 2 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 20 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 19880605017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605017999A), Jun 5, 1988: Tcrafk L2TCRAFT, Three Rivers, MI, Substantial damage. Early lift off and attempt to force plane to climb resulted in stall and crash. Neither pilot was skilled in type.

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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