# NTSB LAX02LA024: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43382, Copperopolis, CA, November 9, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 2001, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Copperopolis, CA
- Coordinates: 37.93988, -120.659484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9399&lon=-120.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA024

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of speed and altitude on final approach to landing, which resulted in a low approach and impact with a fence at the runway threshold.  The impact lead to a subsequent loss of control and nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot said that she approached the 1,800-foot-long runway "low and slow," and the tailwheel of the airplane snagged on a fence at the runway threshold.  A hard landing ensued and the airplane then veered off the runway and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On November 9, 2001, at 0815 hours Pacific standard time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N43382, was substantially damaged when the airplane veered off the runway and nosed over during landing at a private airstrip at Copperopolis, California.  The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The personal flight, which departed from San Andreas, California, at 0800, was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the Safety Board investigator that she approached the 1,800-foot-long runway "low and slow," and the tailwheel of the airplane snagged on a fence at the runway threshold.  A hard landing ensued and the airplane then veered off the runway and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43382](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43382), registered now, S/N 7041, 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: 7041
- Airframe hours: 2725
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kathleen M. Zancanella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2001, 216 hours before
- Departed: O03, San Andreas, CA
- Destination: Copperopolis, CA
- Airport: Private Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 29 nm away

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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