# NTSB CHI92DEM05: Taylorcraft H-2, N15672, Holland, MI, August 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1992, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.839607, -86.129638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8396&lon=-86.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEM05

## Probable cause

NOT MAINTAINING A SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING THE REVERSAL TURN AND ENCOUNTERING A STALL/SPIN MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ANTIQUE AIRPLANE HAD ITS ENGINE CHANGED TO A THREE CYLINDER RADIAL UNIT.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING ITS INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY BY REVERSING HIS FLIGHT PATH.  DURING THE TURN TOWARD THE RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE'S NUMBER THREE CYLINDER HAD A FRACTURED INTAKE ROCKER ARM.  METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15672](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15672), registered now, S/N 337, built 1935 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft H-2
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft H-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-h-2) (registry code 8850602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: SZEKELY SR-3-O 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philip J. Michmerhuizen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: HLM, Park Township, runway 23, 3,075 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,500 total, 8 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 22 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 19920822032709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920822032709A), Aug 22, 1992: Piper E2, Holland, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled and spun in trying to return. Rocker arm broke due fatigue. Modified Taylorcraft E2

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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