# NTSB GAA19CA366: Taylorcraft BC12, N49368, Yerington, NV, June 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2019, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Yerington, NV - Coordinates: 39.005554, -119.156669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0056&lon=-119.1567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99689/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99689 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand propping it, which resulted in the unmanned airplane moving and colliding with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=8850316), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before attempting to take off, he tied a rope to the airplane's tail and then hand propped the airplane. The engine started, and "the rope snapped." Subsequently, the unmanned airplane started moving and then impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he tied a rope to the tail of his airplane and hand-propped the airplane. The engine started and "the rope snapped." Subsequently, the unmanned airplane collided with a chain-link fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49368](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49368), registered now, S/N 7692, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12 (D) - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7692 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4245.54 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2019 - Departed: VGT, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: O43, Yerington Muni - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,287 total, 1,313 in this make and model, 3,252 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F - Observed at: KMEV, 28 nm away ## Other investigations on N49368 (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 LAX91LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA215), May 16, 1991: Taylorcraft DC12-D (N49368), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99689. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477765&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.