# NTSB ERA12CA430: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N96282, Camden, TN, June 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 30, 2012, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Camden, TN - Coordinates: 36.009445, -88.124725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0094&lon=-88.1247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84207/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84207 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA430 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while starting the engine, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and, as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the engine rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during engine start, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector noted substantial damage to the empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96282](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96282), registered now, S/N 8582, 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: 8582 - Airframe hours: 2185 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2011, 35 hours before - Departed: 0M4, Camden, TN - Destination: DWH, Spring, TX - Airport: 0M4, Benton County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2010; flight hours: 2,682 total, 530 in this make and model, 2,587 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 30 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 20120630013641A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120630013641A), Jun 30, 2012: Taylorcraft BC12-D, Camden, TN, Substantial damage. On June 30, 2012, at approx. 1030L, [privacy data omitted] of N96282, a Taylorcraft BC12-D aircraft, that landed at Benton County Airport, 0M4, for fuel,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84207. 578 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1: View of Damage to Empennage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Empennage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.