# NTSB DEN89LA032: Taylorcraft BC12D, N43603, Carrizozo, NM, November 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1988, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Carrizozo, NM
- Coordinates: 33.63956, -105.880668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6396&lon=-105.8807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA032

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT SAID HIS TAYLORCRAFT WAS SECURED TO THE RAMP BY 3 CHAINS. HE TRIED TO HAND START THE ENGINE, WITH NO ONE AT THE CONTROLS, AND THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. THE ENGINE STARTED, THE ACFT BROKE THE RIGHT WING TIE DOWN RING, AND STRAIGHTENED AN 'S' HOOK ATTACHED TO THE LEFT WING. THE TAIL WHEEL CHAIN WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE TAIL WHEEL AND IT UNWRAPPED, RELEASING THE ACFT. IT BEGAN TO MOVE IN TIGHT LEFT CIRCLES. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO BOARD THE ACFT, BUT HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN. THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL PASSED OVER HIS LEFT LEG, BROKE IT, AND LEFT HIM LYING ON THE RAMP UNABLE TO STAND. THE ACFT CAME BACK TO THE PLT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES. THE PLT ROLLED AWAY TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY. THE ACFT STRUCK A PARKED AUTO, LEFT THE RAMP, HIT A VASI LIGHT, STRUCK A CULVERT, AND NOSED DOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - throttle/power lever - open (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - other person
  - object - vehicle
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43603](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43603-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 7262, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7262
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erwin R. Gaines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1988, 57 hours before
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 037, Carrizozo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 900 total, 695 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19881113050649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881113050649A), Nov 13, 1988: Tcraft BC12D, Carrizozo, NM, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine, full throttle. Broke tie downs. Ran over pilot. Hit a auto a VASI light and ditch.

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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