# NTSB CHI91DEM02: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, N44350, North Muskegon, MI, December 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: North Muskegon, MI
- Coordinates: 43.289291, -86.28926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2893&lon=-86.2893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEM02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND ENTERING INTO AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE FUEL STARVATION AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT SELECTING A PROPER FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE LIGHT SINGLE-ENGINED AIRPLANE WAS FLYING A DOWNWIND LEG IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. A WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE STOP, LOOKED UP AND SAW THE AIRPLANE 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE WITNESS WATCHED THE AIRPLANE UNTIL IT WENT BEHIND THE TOPS OF THE TREES. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE WITNESS HEARD A LOUD THUMP. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN A SHORT FINAL APPROACH LEG. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED AN EMPTY MAIN FUEL TANK WITH ITS SELECTOR VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION; AND A FULL AUXILIARY FUEL TANK WITH ITS SELECTOR VALVE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. FUEL HAD NOT LEAKED FROM THE MAIN TANK. A SMALL LEAK WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE AUXILIARY TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44350](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44350-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 10150, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D1
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d1) (registry code 8850320) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry G. Glaser
- Airport: 31C, North Side, runway 3, 2,752 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MKG, 7 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 19901211053829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901211053829A), Dec 11, 1990: Tcraft STCBC, Muskegan, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel turning base for landing and stalled.

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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