# NTSB CHI92FA142: Taylorcraft F19, N3688T, Harvard, IL, May 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1992, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Harvard, IL
- Coordinates: 42.420269, -88.610534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4203&lon=-88.6105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OUT.  A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - improper
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT/AIRPLANE CO-OWNER DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT WITH ONE OF HIS BROTHERS AS A PASSENGER.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP, SPIRALING DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN OPEN FIELD LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION.  THE AIRPLANE HAD OPERATED 13 HOURS SINCE THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH WAS COMPLETED ABOUT 7 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  A SURVIVING BROTHER/AIRPLANE CO-OWNER REPORTED NEITHER THE AIRPLANE NOR THE PILOT HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 4 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED A COMBINATION OF 80 OCTANE AVIATION FUEL AND AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3688T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3688T-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N F-095, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT F19
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19) (registry code 8850904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F-095
- Airframe hours: 539
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wottreng, Thomas C. & Nicholas
- Registered owner: Wottreng, Thomas C. & Nicholas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1991, 13 hours before
- Airport: 0C0, Dacy, runway 14, 2,760 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 180 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 28 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 19920510013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920510013899A), May 10, 1992: Tcraft F19, Harvard, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and spun in during climbout from airport. Pilot had not flown for 5 months. Not current to carry passenger.

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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