# NTSB ERA26LA245: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N47123, Renovo, PA, June 7, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 7, 2026, 20:45 UTC - Place: Renovo, PA · Field - Coordinates: 41.302593, -77.841503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3026&lon=-77.8415&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2026 - 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): 203217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control during an off-airport landing. ## 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 DCO-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an off-airport landing, and during the landing roll out, the tailwheel-equipped airplane contacted a small dip. The pilot stated that airplane then bounced and started to porpoise. During one of the bounces, the tailwheel contacted another small dip, after which the tail of airplane raised and the propeller contacted the ground resulting in a nose over. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the spar, fuselage, and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47123](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47123), registered now, S/N 5133, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5133 - Year built: 1943 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2026 - Departed: FIG, Clearfield, PA - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2025; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,523.4 total, 361.6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KFIG, 30 nm away - METAR: METAR KFIG 072054Z AUTO 34012G17KT 10SM SCT065 26/12 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP139 T02610122 55000= ## 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 20260607008819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260607008819A), Jun 7, 2026: Taylorcraft DCO-65, Westport, PA, Substantial damage. The airman departed zelienople airport (pjc) for lockhaven airport (lhv) with an overnight stop at his privately owned grass strip near Westport, PA. After… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203217. 11.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 8.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20763202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20762064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD-pilot%20interview_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20762879&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.