# NTSB FTW88FA069: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N29779, Big Spring, TX, February 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1988, 14:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Location: 32.2383° N, 101.4857° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Spring, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2383&lon=-101.4857&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22541/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS ENTERING THE PATTERN FOR LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF THE AEROBATIC PRACTICE. THEY NOTED A POWER REDUCTION AFTER WHICH THE AIRCRAFT ASSUMED AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE THAT CONTINUED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. POST MORTEM STUDIES SHOWED MARKED ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, WITH SIGNIFICANT THREE VESSEL CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE. BOTH THE PATHOLOGIST AND THE PARTICIPATING FAA ASSISTANT REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON CONSIDERED THAT THE PILOT PROBABLY HAD A SUDDEN SEVERE INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION IN THIS INSTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29779](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29779-1994-02-11), registration cancelled 1994-02-11, S/N 2627 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2627
- Airframe hours: 2493
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Hart
- Registered owner: Edward Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1987, 39 hours before
- Airport: Edwards Ranch Prvt Strip, runway 19, 520 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,870 total, 125 in this make and model, 5,610 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 28 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 19880220002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880220002949A), Feb 20, 1988: Tcraft STCBC, Big Spring, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot suffered a heart attack after series of acrobatics and while on final approach, dived into ground.

## Other investigations on N29779 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC70D0127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70D0127), Jul 21, 1969: Taylorcraft BC1265 (N29779), Chadwick, MO, substantial damage

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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