# NTSB FTW91LA022: Taylorcraft DC-65, N61080, Boerne, TX, December 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1990, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Boerne, TX
- Coordinates: 29.79985, -98.729759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7998&lon=-98.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CLIMB OVER OBSTACLES DUE TO ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT WHICH EXCEEDED THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND THE DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF FROM RUNWAY 22, THE PILOT ENTERED A CLIMBING LEFT TURN AND ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WINDS AND A DOWNDRAFT AS HE CLEARED THE TREES THAT SURROUNDED THE SOD STRIP.  HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE DESCENT PRIOR TO THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRIKING TREES.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND THE GROUND. LOCAL WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 220 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE STRIP WAS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND LOW HILLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61080](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61080), registered now, S/N 6238, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DC-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dc-65) (registry code 8850402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6238
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anderson, Wallace G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1990, 26 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: HDO, HONDO, TX
- Airport: NONE, Grier, runway 22, 1,500 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 26,556 total, 90 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 25 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 19901209053249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901209053249A), Dec 9, 1990: Tcrafk DC65TCRAFT, Boerme, TX, Substantial damage. On climbout encountered gusty wind and downdrafts. Gear hit trees, fence and ground. Strip surrounded by trees.

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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