# NTSB ERA22LA430: Taylorcraft BC12, N5619M, Buffalo, NY, September 24, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 24, 2022, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Buffalo, NY - Coordinates: 43.066724, -78.683086 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0667&lon=-78.6831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105995/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105995 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA430 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb after a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850322), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8850322), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8850322), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8850322), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850322), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The vintage tailwheel airplane was on final approach to the runway in a left crosswind. A witness, who was also president of the airport flying club, was mowing grass adjacent to the runway and saw the accident. He stated that the airplane approached the runway low and was “crabbing hard” to the left. The pilot then initiated a go-around. The engine noise increased, but the airplane attempted a go-around at a 90° left angle to the runway. The airplane cleared trees, experienced a “power on stall,” and descended nose first into a grove. The pilot reported that he was injured in the accident and did not remember anything after being 25 ft over the runway on approach; however, he reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5619M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5619M), registered now, S/N 12019, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12 (D85) - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12D-85](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12d-85) (registry code 8850322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12019 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 1980 - Engines: Continental C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2022, 6 hours before - Departed: 17NK, Rock Stream, NY - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: D51, Clarence Aerodrome, runway 28, 2,500 × 67 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,020 total, 830 in this make and model, 983 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: BUF, 8 nm away - METAR: KBUF 241654Z 24007KT 10SM FEW035 BKN200 BKN250 16/07 A3003 ## 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 20220924016449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220924016449A), Sep 24, 2022: Taylorcraft BC12D-85, Clarence, NY, Substantial damage. On Saturday September 24, 2022 this aircraft, [privacy data omitted], departed from watkins glen, NY to the Clarence Aerodrome Airport (D51). At about 1245… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105995. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 404 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14618561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14618877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14619623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14619331&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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.