# NTSB FTW85LA125: Taylorcraft BC12-65, N47665, Boerne, TX, February 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1985, 18:10 local (Feb 24, 1985, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Boerne, TX
- Coordinates: 29.799537, -98.730621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7995&lon=-98.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,cap - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT FROM A LOCAL FLT, HE MADE A DESCENDING TURN FROM 2500 FT MSL TO LOSE ALT, HE APPLIED CARB HEAT BEFORE RETARDING THE THROTTLE & CLEARED THE ENG AFTER ABOUT 180 DEG OF TURN. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 180 DEG OF TURN, HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENG. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY, SO HE LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT BEFORE COLLIDING WITH TWO TREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN RESTORED & HAD ACCUMULATED AN ADDITIONAL 18 HRS OF FLT TIME. THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK CAPS HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW, UNVENTED CAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47665](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47665), registered now, S/N 2835, built 1941 (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&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2835
- Airframe hours: 2549
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin D. Porter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1984
- Airport: Sabina, runway 36, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,161 total, 15 in this make and model, 8,784 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 23 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 19850223005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850223005929A), Feb 23, 1985: Tcraft BC1265, Boerne, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond during descent to land. Original fuel caps had been replaced with unvented caps.

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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