# NTSB ERA09CA336: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43766, Somerville, NJ, June 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2009, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Somerville, NJ - Coordinates: 40.625831, -74.67028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6258&lon=-74.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74017/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74017 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA336 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control during the landing roll due to the separation of the tailwheel centering spring for an undetermined reason. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing on Runway 12, the airplane began to veer to the right. His attempts to maintain directional control were unsuccessful and the airplane departed the right side of the runway, striking a plastic storage container and another airplane that was tied down. The impact damaged the right wing strut. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees at 5 knots. During a subsequent examination of the wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the forward clevis fitting and attaching hardware were missing from the left hand tailwheel centering spring, which caused the airplane to be uncontrollable. The clevis fitting and attaching hardware were not recovered. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after landing on runway 12, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot's attempts to maintain directional control were unsuccessful and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. After departing the runway, the airplane struck a plastic storage container and another airplane that was tied down. The impact damaged the right wing strut. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees at 5 knots. During a subsequent exam of wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the forward clevis fitting and attaching hardware were missing from the left hand tailwheel centering spring, which caused the airplane to be uncontrollable. The clevis fitting and attaching hardware were not recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43766](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43766-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 7425, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D - 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: 7425 - Airframe hours: 2670 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2009, 4 hours before - Departed: HWY, Warrenton, VA - Destination: SMQ, Somerville, NJ - Airport: SMQ, Somerset Airport, runway 12, 2,733 × 65 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,203 total, 10 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: SMQ ## 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 20090608007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090608007679A), Jun 8, 2009: Tcraft BC12D, Somerville, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing rollout for runway 12, airplane began to veer to the right. Pilot attempted to correct but airplane did not respond. Aircraft ground looped… ## Other investigations on N43766 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA19LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA199), Jun 17, 2019: Taylorcraft BC12 (N43766), Readington, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to land on the mowed turf runway, which resulted in the airplane landing in tall grass and subsequently nosing over. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74017. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report - Somerville, NJ (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20-%20Somerville,%20NJ-Master.PDF - FAA Photo - Wing Strut Damage (item 3, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo%20-%20Wing%20Strut%20Damage-Master.PDF 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.