# NTSB ERA24LA032: Taylorcraft BC12-65, N29868, Columbia, TN, November 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 11, 2023, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Columbia, TN · Grass field near airport. - Coordinates: 35.698407, -86.956162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6984&lon=-86.9562&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 193368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193368/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193368 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA032 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to an accumulation of carburetor ice, resulting in an off-airport landing and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=8850310), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=8850310), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8850310), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was preparing for takeoff after the engine had been running for about 25 minutes. Before departing, he tested the carburetor heat and noted that it was functioning as expected. He applied power for takeoff and the engine accelerated “strongly and smoothly.” About 25-30 ft above the ground during the initial climb the engine suddenly lost about 1,000 rpm. The pilot elected to perform an off-field landing. He maneuvered to avoid a hedgerow and the airplane touched down in an in an area of high grass. During the landing sequence, the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a preexisting anomaly or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature/dew point at the time of the accident was in the range for serious carburetor icing at cruise power. While the pilot described checking the functionality of the carburetor heat before as part of his normal preflight checks, and leaving it on for “a little longer” than normal as a part of that process, given all available information, it is likely that the temperature of the carburetor dropped during the extended operation of the engine while on the ground, and that during takeoff, the carburetor accumulated ice to a point that resulted in the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2023, about 0815 eastern standard time, a Taylorcraft BC12-65 airplane, N29868, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Columbia, Tennessee. The private pilot incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and confirmed there were about 12 gallons of fuel on board. Including engine start, taxi, and pretakeoff runup operations, the engine was running for about 25 minutes with no anomalies noted. Before takeoff he activated the carburetor head and noticed a “normal” engine rpm drop. He also stated that he left the carburetor heat applied, “for a little longer” and when he turned it off there was no engine rpm change. He applied power for takeoff and the engine accelerated “strongly and smoothly.” About 25-30 ft above the ground during the initial climb, the engine suddenly lost about 1,000 rpm. The pilot elected to perform an off-field landing. He maneuvered to avoid a hedgerow and the airplane touched down in an area of high grass. During the landing sequence the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was met by first responders. The wreckage was examined after recovery to a storage facility. The wing and main fuel tanks contained fuel and were uncompromised. Fuel drained from the tanks was clean and free of water or other contaminants. The carburetor bowl contained a small amount of particulate matter. The carburetor inlet screen was clear. The engine was turned through manually by rotating the propeller. Compression and suction were noted on all four cylinders and valve action was correct. The magnetos produced spark to all leads when operated manually. The spark plugs were normal in color and wear when compared to a Champion inspection chart. The carburetor was broken from the engine consistent with impact damage; however, the cockpit controls remained attached. The carburetor heat knob was found in the “off” position. Examination of the fuel system and engine did not reveal evidence of a preexisting anomaly or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded temperature and dew point near the accident site was about 48 and 35 degrees, respectively. On a carburetor icing probability chart, those temperatures were in the “serious icing – cruise power” range. FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (CE-09-35) – Carburetor Icing Prevention, stated that: “…pilots should be aware that carburetor icing doesn't just occur in freezing conditions, it can occur at temperatures well above freezing temperatures when there is visible moisture or high humidity. Icing can occur in the carburetor at temperatures above freezing because vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as it flows through the carburetor, (Venturi Effect) causes sudden cooling, sometimes by a significant amount within a fraction of a second. Carburetor icecan be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29868](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29868), registered now, S/N 2719 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-65) (registry code 8850310) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2719 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 2567.9 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2023 - Destination: KM29, Clifton, TN - Airport: 06TN, Hunter, runway 05/23, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 28, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,753 total, 275 in this make and model, 1,519 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: KMRC, 14 nm away - METAR: KMRC 111410Z AUTO 03006KT 9SM CLR 09/02 A3032 RMK A01 ## 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 20231111017649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231111017649A), Nov 11, 2023: Taylorcraft BC12-65, Columbia, TN, Substantial damage. On 1/11/2023 at approximately 1415Z, it was reported that a 1941 Taylorcraft BC12-65, serial number 2719 experienced engine issues and made a forced landing in… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193368. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16518303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB record of conversation with pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16517485&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Craig%20Bixby%2011%2012%202023%20v01_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16518357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Wayne%27s%20Witness097_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16517859&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - NTSB examination summary (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16518313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20NTSB%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - FAA SAIB CE-09-35 carburetor icing prevention (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16517495&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20FAA_SAIB_CE-09-35_Carb_Icing_Prevention-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.