# NTSB LAX83LA137: Taylorcraft BC12D, N43958, San Manuel, AZ, March 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1983, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: San Manuel, AZ
- Location: 32.6091° N, 110.6415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Manuel, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6091&lon=-110.6415&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, SHE WAS FLYING ABOVE A CANYON AND NOTICED A LOSS OF ALTITUDE. THE BEST RATE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED, 60 MPH, FAILED TO PRODUCE ANY CLIMB, SO THE PILOT BEGAN TO CIRCLE TO GAIN ALTITUDE. 'BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST CIRCLE THE PLANE LOST SUBSTANTIAL ALTITUDE AND BEGAN TO DIVE. BEING LOW AT THAT POINT, I FELT I HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT STEER BETWEEN TWO TREES.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N43958 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7617
- Airframe hours: 4250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cynthia Kay Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1982, 17 hours before
- Departed: SAN MANUEL, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 234 total, 76 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 17 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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