# NTSB LAX86LA339: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N434CW, Lompoc, CA, August 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 13:33 local (20:33 UTC)
- Place: Lompoc, CA
- Coordinates: 34.599391, -120.390098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5994&lon=-120.3901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA339

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S SON THE PLT ROUTINELY OVERFLEW HIS HOME AND ROCKED THE WINGS. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS FLYING AT 1100 FT MSL (APRX 650 FT AGL) OVER HIS SON'S RANCH AND DECIDED TO DEMONSTRATE SLOW FLT. HE SLOWED THE ACFT TO 70 MPH AND MADE ONE CIRCLE. THE PLT THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A SECOND CIRCLE. HE STATED, 'FORGETTING THAT I WAS ALREADY AT A SLOW SPEED - UPON ENTRY INTO A STEEP LEFT TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N434CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N434CW), registered now, S/N 7158, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- 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: 7158
- Airframe hours: 1774
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Key, Robert L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 1985
- Departed: LPC, LOMPOC, CA
- Destination: IZA, SANTA YNEZ, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 369 total, 309 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 26 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX, 20 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 19860831043449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831043449A), Aug 31, 1986: Tcraft BC12D, Lompoc, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled during slow flight at low altitude. The pilot attempted a steep turn at low airspeed.

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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