# NTSB LAX72AL064: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N48981, Sta.Susana, CA, June 29, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 29, 1972
- Place: Sta.Susana, CA · STA.SUSANA, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72AL064
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL064

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0776  72/6/29    STA.SUSANA,CALIF    TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65  CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 17, 207
        TIME - 1747                    N48981              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 3 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SANTA SUSANA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STA.SUSANA,CALIF           UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: PISTON,PISTON RINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LOWER PISTON RING NR 1 CYL BROKEN DURING INSTALLATION.PLT LOST CTL TRYING TO RET TO FLD.HIT HOUSE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48981](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48981-1973-06-25), registration cancelled 1973-06-25, S/N 4925 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Santa Susana

## Other investigations on N48981 (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 LAX68F0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0091), Aug 6, 1967: Taylorcraft L-2 (N48981), Compton, CA, 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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