# NTSB DEN87FA111: Taylorcraft F21 TC, N2005C, Boulder, CO, April 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 20:30 local (Apr 25, 1987, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Location: 40.0244° N, 105.2513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boulder, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0244&lon=-105.2513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PLT WERE PRACTICING NIGHT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. FLT INSTRUCTOR REDUCED ENGINE POWER TO IDLE AFTER TAKEOFF TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE BANKED THE ACFT 'STEEPLY' TO THE LEFT AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. EXAM OF ACFT WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MACHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT. BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2005C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT F21 TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F1012
- Airframe hours: 728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Boulder Aviation
- Registered owner: Bristol Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1986, 150 hours before
- Departed: IVS, BOULDER, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 652 total, 60 in this make and model, 639 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 7 nm away

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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