# NTSB FTW95LA351: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N57527, Abilene, TX, August 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1995, 09:02 local (14:02 UTC) - Place: Abilene, TX - Coordinates: 32.449436, -99.729309 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4494&lon=-99.7293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA351 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL AS RESULT OF AN ABRUPT MANEUVER. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - pull-up - performed, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE CIRCLED THE AIRPORT IN A LOOSE FORMATION WITH TWO OTHER WWII VINTAGE AIRPLANES. THE FLIGHT OF THREE HAD COMPLETED A LOW PASS OVER RUNWAY 17 AS PART OF AN ANNUAL FLY-IN AND OPEN HOUSE HOSTED BY THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO INITIATE A CLIMB FOLLOWING THE LOW PASS. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCH UP TO CLEAR WIRES ACROSS THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY OBSERVED DESCENDING IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE INTO A METAL BUILDING, COMING TO REST ON THE ROOF. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1995, at 0902 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65, N57527, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near the Elmdale Airpark, in Abilene, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which no flight plan was filed. According to the operator, the pilot lost control of the airplane while circling the airport in a "loose" formation with two other aircraft. The flight of three had completed a low pass over runway 17 as part of the annual fly-in and open house at the airport. On the enclosed Pilot/Operator report, the pilot states that the engine failed to respond when he added power to initiate a climb following the low pass. He further stated that during his last pass, "while operating at 2/3 power, he heard 5 popping sounds coming from the area of the engine." The pilot added that he had intended to land in an open grass field to the west of the airpark. Witnesses observed the nose of the airplane pitch up to clear wires across its flight path. The airplane was observed descending in a nose down attitude into an unoccupied metal office building. The airplane came to rest on the roof. Post accident examination of the powerplants and related systems by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. A report of his examination is enclosed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57527](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57527), registered now, S/N 5856 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5856 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bill Masters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6F4 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 353 total, 37 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABI, 3 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 19950819025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950819025659A), Aug 19, 1995: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Made low pass. Engine failed respond. Pulled up over wires. Descended onto building. No engine defects found. 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.