# NTSB FTW83FA313: Taylorcraft BCS 12-65, N1776B, Odessa, TX, July 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1983, 20:00 local (Jul 5, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX
- Coordinates: 31.849555, -102.35987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8496&lon=-102.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA313

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND THE GROUND DURING RECOVERY FROM AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER. THE PLT HAD DONE WHAT APPEARED TO BE A MANEUVER SIMILIAR TO A HAMMERHEAD STALL SHORTLY AFTER FIRST TAKEOFF. THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE RECOVERING AS IT 'BOTTOMED OUT' AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO THEN SAW A FLASH WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1776B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1776B-1985-07-25), registration cancelled 1985-07-25, S/N 10388 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BCS 12-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10388
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gathright Custom Homes Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: MAF, 8 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 19830704030549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830704030549A), Jul 4, 1983: Tcraft BCS1265, Odessa, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft hit highline and crashed as it was recovering from a low level hammerhead stall type maneuver.

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.

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