# NTSB FTW86LA064: Taylorcraft L-2, N50639, Graham, TX, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Graham, TX
- Location: 33.1009° N, 98.5778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Graham, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1009&lon=-98.5778&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - engine assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING A SHARP RIGHT BANK AT APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET. THE PROPELLER EXHIBITED NO SIGNS OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE ENGINE WAS DISSASSEMBLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE THE APPARENT FAILURE. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR ITS COMPONENTS WAS FOUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING IN AN AIRSHOW AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50639-1986-04-12), registration cancelled 1986-04-12, S/N 4668 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT L-2
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4668
- Airframe hours: 1801
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-7 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Prideaux
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1985, 19 hours before
- Airport: E15, Graham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 126 total, 126 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPS

## 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 19860412011499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412011499A), Apr 12, 1986: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Graham, TX, Destroyed. Stalled during a steep turn in the traffic pattern. Too low for recovery. Struck the trees and ground.

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.