# NTSB CHI96FA332: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43687, Bellaire, MI, September 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1996, 18:04 local (22:04 UTC) - Place: Bellaire, MI - Coordinates: 44.970989, -85.199172 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9710&lon=-85.1992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10109 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96FA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10109/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA332 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper remedial action, while recovering from an intentional stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin and collision with the terrain. The lack of altitude for recovery was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - stall - intentional, pilot in command - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The passenger, who was also the owner/operator of the airplane, reported that the pilot was 'performing power off stalls' about 1000 above ground level. According to the passenger, 'the left wing apparently stalled first initiating a left spin. Spin recovery was not accomplished due to lack of altitude.' The airplane came to rest in a steep nose down pitch attitude. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 8, 1996, at 1804 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43687, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an in-flight loss of control while maneuvering near Bellaire, Michigan. The commercial rated pilot sustained fatal injuries and the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight originated at 1720 in Traverse City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The passenger, who was also the owner/operator of the airplane, reported that the pilot was "performing power off stalls... at 1800 mean sea level, the left wing apparently stalled first initiating a left spin. Spin recovery was not accomplished due to lack of altitude." WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The NTSB on-scene investigation began September 9, 1996 about 1600. The wreckage was located in a grassy field northwest of the intersection of Dunson Road and Clam Lake Road. The fuselage was in a near vertical nose down pitch attitude. The fuselage, forward of the landing gear struts, was crushed aft. The right wing was separated at the root and was located about 90 feet from the main wreckage. The outboard five feet of the right leading edge was crushed aft at a 20 degree angle. The left wing was fractured chordwise about two feet inboard of the lift strut attachments. No evidence of preimpact flight control or engine control malfunction was discovered. One blade of the wood, fixed pitch propeller was fractured near the root and the other blade was fractured at the midspan. The blades exhibited minor chordwise scratching on the forward faces. Engine continuity was verified. The spark plugs were slightly sooted and examination of the carburetor revealed no evidence of anomaly. An emergency locator transmitter antenna was attached to the airplane but the transmitter was not discovered at the accident site. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy of the pilot was performed at the Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, Michigan on September 9, 1996. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)toxicological testing was negative for all tests conducted. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA Flight Standards District Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a party to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43687-2002-08-15), registration cancelled 2002-08-15, S/N 7346 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC-12D - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7346 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven K. Derr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1996 - Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F ## 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 19960908026259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960908026259A), Sep 8, 1996: Tcraft BC12D, Bellaire, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalls spins low altitude. Passenger was non pilot owner. Demo for newly purchased craft for owner. (-23) pilot was apparently doing stalls at low altitude.… 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.